Glaucoma has been called the thief of sight as it seems to rob you of your vision, but did you know that it changes your vision 5 years before you even notice? Read on to learn about this possible devastating eye disease.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can cause someone to lose their vision. The pressure in your eye becomes too high for that eye that it presses on delicate cells in the back of your eye causing them to die off. 32% of all blindness in people over 40 in Trinidad and Tobago is due to Glaucoma.
The problem is the first batch of cells to die off are the ones that help you see to your side. This is why we do not notice these changes as most of our daily tasks are central tasks. It is only when we start to bump into people on the street, have problems driving the car or have difficulty going up and down stairs that people start to know they have a problem but by then damage could have already happened!
But did you know, this eye disease could be picked up sooner by regular eye exams?
Who is at risk of this eye disease?
The most common type of Glaucoma is called Primary Open Angle Glaucoma (POAG). The risk factors are:
-People over the age of 40
-People with a family history especially brothers and sisters
-People of Afro-Caribbean ethnicity
-People with Diabetes
How is it picked up?
Nowadays with modern technology, there are many ways for it to be detected.
Pressure check=> You may be familiar with the “puff of air” test at the optometrist’s. Some people dread this test, that’s why there are new ways of measuring pressures without the puff!
Visual Field Test=>This machine checks how far you can see to the side. This is an important test to have down. Some people think it is boring, but it is vital to have it done!
OCT=>This is like an ultrasound but using light and it tells us if those delicate cells have been damaged many years before you would know!
What can be done if I have it?
If it is picked up on time, the treatment is normally eye drops or a laser procedure. If it is not picked up on time, the Ophthalmologist may need to use many drops or even complicated surgery. The best thing is to get it picked up as soon as possible by having regular eye exams especially if you have a risk factor.
Other types
Other types of Glaucoma are similarly devastating but not as common. Closed-angle glaucoma is when the pressure rises in the eye suddenly, leading to a painful eye. This needs immediate attention!
Diabetes can also cause a special type of Glaucoma so please keep your diabetes under control.
Whilst Glaucoma is a lifelong disease that needs to be managed for the rest of your life it doesn’t have to be a life sentence especially when it is picked up on time.
Remember, your eyes are irreplaceable, and early detection is the key to preserving your vision. Don’t let Glaucoma be the thief of your sight.
Schedule an eye exam today and take the first step in preserving your eyesight.
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