The Spectator

Raising Awareness and Promoting Eye Health

Glaucoma Awareness Month, observed every January, is dedicated to increasing public understanding of glaucoma, a group of eye conditions that can lead to vision loss and blindness. It is a time to educate individuals about the importance of early detection and treatment, as well as to support those living with the condition. Glaucoma is often called the "silent thief of sight" because it typically shows no symptoms until significant damage has occurred.

Understanding Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a condition that damages the optic nerve, which is vital for good vision. This damage is caused by abnormal pressure in the eye, also known as intraocular pressure. There are several types of glaucoma, but the two main types are open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma.

·        Open-Angle Glaucoma: This is the most common form of glaucoma, where the drainage angle for eye remains open, but the drainage through the trabecular meshwork reduces. This leads to a gradual painless increase in eye pressure.

·        Angle-Closure Glaucoma: This type occurs when the iris bulges forward to narrow or block the drainage angle formed by the cornea and iris. This can result in a sudden increase in eye pressure, is very painful and requires immediate medical attention.

See here more info around Glaucoma Awareness Month: https://glaucomafoundation.org/glaucoma-awareness-month/

Other Forms of Glaucoma

·        Normal-Tension Glaucoma: Optic nerve damage occurs despite what appear to be normal eye pressure.

·        Congenital Glaucoma: Present at birth, this form results from incorrect or incomplete development of the eye's drainage canals.

·        Secondary Glaucoma: This type can develop as a result of injury, inflammation, tumour, some medication side effects or in association with advanced cases of cataract or diabetes.

Risk Factors

While anyone can develop glaucoma, certain individuals are at higher risk for developing glaucoma. Recognizing these risk factors is crucial for early detection and prevention.

·        Age: People over 40 are at increased risk.

·        Ethnicity: African Americans and Hispanics are more likely to develop glaucoma at an earlier age and experience more severe vision loss.

·        Family History: A family history of glaucoma increases the likelihood of developing the condition.

·        Medical Conditions: Conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease can increase the risk.

Can you prevent Glaucoma?

In a word no and optic nerve damage is permanent. However, detecting glaucoma early is the key. This requires regular eye health checks. Preferably with technology that allows 3D imaging of the retina and visual field screening. Regular eye examinations are essential for all to detect eye disease early, especially if you are in the more at risks groups above. Regular examinations allow your optometrist to initially create a baseline of your eye health, subsequent visits add to this data and give a far more detailed picture of your changing eye health. These regular examinations allow analysis of the data held about your eyes, enabling the earliest possible detection of eye disease such as glaucoma and but also systemic disease that include heart disease and even dementia.

See here how you can book an eye exam to help detect glaucoma: https://the-eye-place.mysight.uk/