Could you be suffering from Dry Eye?
Could you be suffering from Dry Eye?
“Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases in which the optic nerve, which connects your eye to your brain, is damaged by the pressure of the fluid inside of your eye.”
(The College of Optometrists, 2018)
Glaucoma can happen slowly (chronic), with few symptoms at its onset or very quickly (acute) with symptoms such as an ache in the eye which comes and goes, nausea and vomiting.
Chronic glaucoma is the most common out of the two. Of this group of diseases, 1 in 200 people over the age of 40 and 1 in 25 over the age of 75 can be affected by a type known as Open Angle Glaucoma.
Chronic glaucoma can develop in anyone, however the risk of it developing increases if you:
(The College of Optometrists, 2018)
* The NHS will pay for your eye examination if you are over 40 and one of your parents, children or siblings have glaucoma.
Chronic glaucoma is symptom less in its early form. Therefore the best way to detect it before it affects your sight, is to attend regular eye examinations. Any sight loss caused by glaucoma cannot be repaired or restored.
As shown in the picture in the header above, untreated glaucoma can cause tunnel vision. This is when you can see directly in front of you but have lost the vision in your periphery. If glaucoma is left untreated it can lead to blindness.
Please note those with an increased risk of acute glaucoma are:
(The College of Optometrists, 2018)
There are three main tests that we will complete during your eye examination to assist in diagnosis:
Should you have any concerns about your vision or that of someone you are close to, please make an appointment with one of our Optometrists. This is vitally important if you have a family history of glaucoma, or have a sudden onset of pain in your eye coupled with nausea and sickness.