Glaucoma is the name given to a group of conditions in which the optic nerve suffers a characteristic form of damage at the back of the eye which is often associated with a raised level of pressure in the eye.
The optic nerve damage causes patchy loss of vision that varies in severity from patient to patient.
Without treatment, the loss of vision usually gets worse over the course of many months or several years. The loss of vision in glaucoma is permanent, but with early treatment, the damage to vision can be minimised.
Most patients with glaucoma are not aware of problems with their vision. This is because the central vision (for reading and recognising people) is only affected when glaucoma has advanced to a late stage.
Even when central vision is still good, glaucoma may affect the vision needed for driving and getting about (for instance, seeing steps). Blindness from glaucoma is rare. If blindness does occur, it is usually because the glaucoma is already advanced when it is first diagnosed, because the eye pressure has not responded well to treatment or because patients have not taken their drops regularly.
For most glaucoma patients, the main effect of the condition is the inconvenience of taking eye drops.
The optic nerve damage causes patchy loss of vision that varies in severity from patient to patient.
Without treatment, the loss of vision usually gets worse over the course of many months or several years. The loss of vision in glaucoma is permanent, but with early treatment, the damage to vision can be minimised.
Most patients with glaucoma are not aware of problems with their vision. This is because the central vision (for reading and recognising people) is only affected when glaucoma has advanced to a late stage.
Even when central vision is still good, glaucoma may affect the vision needed for driving and getting about (for instance, seeing steps). Blindness from glaucoma is rare. If blindness does occur, it is usually because the glaucoma is already advanced when it is first diagnosed, because the eye pressure has not responded well to treatment or because patients have not taken their drops regularly.
For most glaucoma patients, the main effect of the condition is the inconvenience of taking eye drops.
How do we detect glaucoma?
By using the latest technology and combining it with gold-standard techniques we have a much better chance to detect glaucoma before it affects the patient.
We have a number of instruments to help us to do exactly that:
We have a number of instruments to help us to do exactly that:
|
ZEISS Humphrey Visual Field Analyser (HFA)
This is the latest Visual Field Analyser from ZEISS. We are very proud to have this device in our practice and offer it as a service to our patients. The HFA is used by hospitals and offers a 'gold standard' in visual field analysis. We are now able to assess visual fields much more accurately. |
KEELER PULSAIR EasyEye
We use the KEELER PULSAIR EasyEye tonometer which blows a very gentle puff of air onto the eye. There are a number of instruments which do this but the KEELER PULSAIR is known to create the most comfortable air puff for this measurement. |
OCT Scanning
OCT scanning allows us to record the appearance of the optic nerve and also allows us to compare it with any images taken previously. This means we can detect smaller changes and manage the condition sooner. This instrument can be included as part of your eye examination. |
Should I have an eye test?
We recommend that everyone over the age of 40 should see an optometrist for an eye test every two years. This is particularly important if you have a close relative with glaucoma (brother, sister, parent or child), if you are African Caribbean, Asian, diabetic, have low blood pressure, or are short sighted.
My sight is fine – why test for glaucoma?
With a simple eye test, we can not only pick up eye conditions such as:
Am I at risk of glaucoma?
If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then you are at increased risk and should definitely have your eyes tested regularly (at least every two years). Call us on 01268544646 to arrange an appointment - you may be eligible for a free NHS sight test.
Download the latest leaflet information from the International Glaucoma Association and read more in our blog.....
We recommend that everyone over the age of 40 should see an optometrist for an eye test every two years. This is particularly important if you have a close relative with glaucoma (brother, sister, parent or child), if you are African Caribbean, Asian, diabetic, have low blood pressure, or are short sighted.
My sight is fine – why test for glaucoma?
With a simple eye test, we can not only pick up eye conditions such as:
- Glaucoma
- Cataract
- Macula degeneration
- Dry eye
- Inflammation of the cornea
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Thyroidtoxicosis
- Auto-immune disorders
- Pituitary tumours
- Raised cholesterol
- Shingles
Am I at risk of glaucoma?
- Are you over 40?
- Do you have a family history of glaucoma?
- Are you short sighted?
- Do you have diabetes?
- Are you of African-Caribbean origin?
If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then you are at increased risk and should definitely have your eyes tested regularly (at least every two years). Call us on 01268544646 to arrange an appointment - you may be eligible for a free NHS sight test.
Download the latest leaflet information from the International Glaucoma Association and read more in our blog.....
| glaucoma_and_your_relatives.pdf |
