Glaucoma steals sight from the unwary

Optometrists at WA Opticians can detect glaucoma by looking at the structure of your eyes and testing your peripheral vision.

People over 40 years and those with a family history of glaucoma should have a regular eye examination at least every 2 years.

Glaucoma affects more than 300,000 Australians.  It is a disease in which the optic nerve at the back of the eye is slowly destroyed.  This prevents visual information getting from the eye to the brain.  In most people this damage is associated with a higher than average pressure inside the eye and the condition can lead to blindness if left untreated.

Glaucoma usually progresses slowly, gradually destroying the edges of your visual field.  The disease can go undetected because 90% of our attention is devoted to our central vision. A person with glaucoma tends not to notice anything until the growing blind spots in each eye overlap each other.  This damage is irreversible and eventually causes blindness. Treatment can only slow the deterioration, not prevent it, so it is important to detect the problem and start treatment as early as possible.  If glaucoma is identified early and treated appropriately, good eyesight can usually be maintained.

Those with a family history of glaucoma are at higher risk of developing the disease.  Diabetes or an eye injury can also increase risk and, while glaucoma is associated with the elderly, younger people can also develop the condition.

Frequent routine eye examinations are the best way to detect glaucoma.  They play a crucial roll in preventing blindness and give the best chance of managing the condition.