What is Glaucoma
A severe condition where the optic nerve, that connects the eye and brain, becomes damaged due to a blockage. A build-up of pressure is experienced from excess fluid not draining from the eye. This can lead to partial or complete loss of sight if it isn’t treated in the early stages of the disease. It currently affects over 600,000 people in the U.K alone. Early detection can mean a much better quality of life but it can be difficult to diagnose in the early stages, as symptoms can be rare.
Some people are at higher risk from the disease, including:
- Those whose family members have suffered from Glaucoma. Ask about your family history – grandparents, aunts and uncles.
- Your age has an impact. The disease is more common in older people and it affects around 10% of the population aged 75 or over.
- Your ethnicity is also a factor. People of African, Caribbean or Asian origin tend to have higher chances of developing Glaucoma.
It’s important to have regular eye examinations in order to catch the condition early. Most people don’t realize they have Glaucoma until it has advanced further.
Symptoms of Glaucoma
At first, it’s unlikely you will notice any symptoms as it develops slowly over a few years. The first thing some notice is that their peripheral vision is affected, but this may not seem alarming at first.
In general, both eyes are affected by the condition but it is possible that one eye degenerates further or quicker than the other. If left untreated, the condition will cause loss of vision. However, if you look after your eye care and have regular tests with a trusted practitioner such as David Paul Opticians you can significantly reduce this risk.
Some symptoms you may recognize include:
- Pain in your eye or head
- Hazy or blurred vision
- Nausea or vomiting (particularly along with pain in your eye)
- The appearance of rainbow-colored circles around bright lights
- Sudden sight loss
Prevention
As yet, nothing has been discovered to prevent Glaucoma, but do keep an eye on your general health and fitness, as it affects your eyesight more than you would imagine. An advanced eye examination can show any damage up earlier and give you the best chance of preventing any further damage. It can also help detect other issues such as diabetic retinography and macular degeneration, which aren’t normally apparent in routine eye tests .
David Paul Opticians – for Glasses, Lenses and Eye care
At David Paul Opticians, we offer a range of eye care essentials such as sunglasses and lenses as well as advanced eye examinations using the latest diagnostic tools and methods. You can count on our experienced opticians in Berkhamsted to tailor our services to meet your eye care needs. Book your appointment today or call us on 01442879303 for more information.