Glaucoma Summarised
What is Glaucoma?
According to Glaucoma Australia, Glaucoma refers to a collection of eye diseases where vision is irreversibly lost due to damage in the optical nerve. Most commonly, Glaucoma is cause by increased pressure in the eye which stresses the optic nerve and damages the cells there.
Glaucoma is found in about 1 in 8 individuals over the age of 80 and is one of the most prevalent eye conditions found in the elderly population. However, as initial damage is to the peripheral field and most people are unaware of the symptoms of Glaucoma, estimates of up to 50% of individuals with Glaucoma are unaware of their condition.
Among other risk factors, people at higher risk of glaucoma include the elderly, indigenous Australians, individuals with a family history of glaucoma, individuals who are extremely far or near sighted, or have experienced an eye injury or operation.
Symptoms and Treatments
90% of the time, the symptoms of Glaucoma are very subtle and can result in significant loss of vision before diagnosis. However, other symptoms are more easily identified, such as, headaches, watery eyes, blurred vision and more. More serious symptoms require immediate medical attention.
While there is no cure for Glaucoma vision loss, most people are able to manage their symptoms and prevent further blindness through the use of eye drops, surgery, oral medicines, and laser treatment. Some patients will require more than one method of treatment to reduce pressure In the eyes.
Mobile Eye Clinic
Glaucoma rates increase with age. Mobile Eye Clinic caters to the elderly and as such, is well equipped to identify patients with Glaucoma. As nerve damage is irreparable, and most vision loss is hard to notice, early detection through regular check-ups is critical.
If you'd like to learn more about us, visit our website or call 0402 842 691.
