This blog on glaucoma awarness month has been contributed Dr. Salman Waqar, Consultant Ophthalmologist in Cataract and Glaucoma Surgery.
Glaucoma occurs when there is high pressure in the eye, which can lead to reduction or loss of vision due to damage to the optic nerve (the nerve that transmits signals from our eye to the brain). It is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, with nearly 60 million people already affected. This number is projected to increase by almost fifty percent over the next ten years.
January is Glaucoma Awareness Month and is an opportunity for us all worldwide to highlight this blinding condition (also known as the “silent thief of sight”).
Early detection and prompt treatment are essential. The campaign aims to increase awareness of the importance of annual eye examinations to diagnose and treat the condition early before vision is harmed for our loved ones and us.
Typically, your eye specialist will conduct the following very specialised and precise tests to screen for glaucoma:
- Eye pressure check
- Clinical evaluation of the optic nerve
- Visual Field testing
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scan of the nerves
If a diagnosis of glaucoma is made, treatment can be done with easy-to-use eye drops, gentle lasers or, in more advanced cases, with the latest surgical techniques. However, the treatment decision can vary from person to person, and your eye specialist will recommend a bespoke treatment plan keeping in mind your individual requirements.
For more information, please visit www.glaucoma.org”