Glaucoma is a leading cause of preventable sight loss across the world. It is a group of common eye diseases where your optic nerve has become damaged. Your optic nerve takes information from your eye to your brain. Damage to your optic nerve can lead to sight loss. With treatment, most people with glaucoma keep good sight for life but early detection is crucial so you can start receiving treatment.
At first, most people cannot tell they have glaucoma. Their sight seems okay. Routine eye tests at your local high street optician check for early signs of glaucoma. Eye tests are the only way to know whether you have glaucoma. You could lose a lot of vision before you’re able to see changes in your own sight. Any sight you lose from glaucoma is irreversible.
Having glaucoma diagnosed early, ideally before you’re able to spot any changes, gives you the best chance of preserving your vision in the future.
In the UK there are lots of different treatments for glaucoma. Treatment slows down sight loss from the disease. Glaucoma cannot be cured so it is important that you keep following your treatment plan for the rest of your life. Regular checks at the hospital make sure that your treatment is still working. If your treatment stops working, your eye specialist will recommend a different one.
Who is more likely to get glaucoma?
Anyone can get glaucoma, but you’re more likely to get it:
- if you have African-Caribbean or east Asian heritage;
- if you have a close relative with it;
- as you get older.
Getting your eyes tested at the opticians is not just to check whether you need glasses. It also checks how healthy your eyes are. Look after your eyes and book your eye test today.
If you already get your eyes tested regularly – well done! Please let your friends and family know why it is so important too.
Website: www.glaucoma.uk
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Helpline: 01233 648 170 Email: helpline@glaucoma.uk