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Glaucoma is a disease of the eye that can occur at any age, but is more common in older people. Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in New Zealand.
When diagnosed early, blindness from glaucoma is almost always controllable with ongoing treatment. In these situations, the likelihood of losing sight is lessened.
Glaucoma is commonly associated with increased pressure within the eye, but the term glaucoma actually refers to a group of eye diseases in which the optic nerve is slowly destroyed.
There are various definitions of Glaucoma. It is best defined as: "A progressive loss of Optic Nerve function, sometimes but not always, in the presence of raised Intra-ocular pressure."
The increase of pressure usually happens when the very fine passages that normally allow fluid in your eyes to drain away become narrowed or blocked.
There can be strong hereditary component to the risk of Glaucoma, so do ask your parents, grandparents and relatives about their eye health. Know your inheritance well.
Uncontrolled glaucoma will initially cause defects in the peripheral vision. People don’t often notice these until considerable damage has been caused. Although damage usually progresses very slowly, it is irreversible.
Treatment cannot recover vision that has already been lost, but it can slow down the damage process.
Tests include assessing the appearance of the optic nerve head, measuring the pressure in the eye, and analysing the complete field of vision. If any signs of glaucoma are detected, your Optometrist will refer you to an Ophthalmologist (eye specialist) for further evaluation.
Primary open-angle Glaucoma
This is the most common form of glaucoma. It develops slowly and is sometimes called chronic glaucoma, characterised by high eye pressure.
Normal tension Glaucoma
This is less prevalent, causing damage to the optic nerve without the characteristic high fluid pressure in the eye.
Acute (angle-closure) Glaucoma
This occurs suddenly, usually with symptoms, and needs immediate treatment to prevent permanent damage to the optic nerve.
It is important to remember these treatments can save remaining vision but cannot restore sight already lost.
Everyone, especially those over 40, should have their eyes examined at least every two years to check that no eye health problems are present or developing.
Early detection is important for effective treatment. Glaucoma cannot be prevented, but if diagnosed and treated early, it can be controlled. Glaucoma is usually only detected in the course of an eye examination. Vision lost to Glaucoma cannot be restored.
There is no one test that will always pick up every person with Glaucoma. A number of test have to be done to assess an individual and not all test are done on everyone.
A comprehensive vision assessment and eye health examination at Shattkys will include a Tonometry test to measure the pressure in your eyes, an examination of the inside of your eyes, a computerised Visual Fields test to check for changes in central and side vision, and a measurement of the thickness of the Retinal Nerve Fibre Layer.
One set of results is not enough to be sure in some cases, so the tests often need to be repeated after 3 or 6 moths so comparisons can be made, the point being to prove whether there has been progressive loss or not. At Shattkys we build up long-term comparative data on our patients, (often as digitized data), so we will find the progression as soon as possible.
Regular eye examinations are important for the detection and management of Glaucoma. Although 2 yearly check can be sufficient for some patients, if they are at particular risk of Glaucoma then 6 monthly re-tests will move efficiently detect the progressive loss of vision that is characteristic of Glaucoma. We will advise you on what is the right period between tests for you.
Maintaining good general health is also important to managing the risk of Glaucoma, so keep fit and eat well!
Kiwi's know that good things take time, so come to us, have the tests done without feeling that you have been "rushed thru", and you'll know what we mean when we say "we take the time!"
Book appointmentKiwi's know that good things take time, so come to us, have the tests done without feeling that you have been "rushed thru", and you'll know what we mean when we say "we take the time!"
Book appointment
