Glaucoma Symptoms & Control

Laubman & Pank is pleased to support Glaucoma Australia’s SiGHTWiSE Patient Support Program.

SiGHTWiSE empowers those who have been diagnosed with glaucoma to understand their disease and make informed decisions to maintain their quality of life and preserve their vision.

WHAT IS GLAUCOMA?

1 in 501 Australians will develop glaucoma in their lifetime and this disease can only be detected with a comprehensive eye examination. Glaucoma results in a slow painless loss of small areas in your side vision. These blind spots slowly enlarge to eliminate your peripheral vision so often people don’t notice a deterioration until the disease has taken hold. Glaucoma comes in a variety of forms but is usually associated with a build-up of fluid pressure in the eye (known as intraocular pressure or IOP) that damages the optic nerve that links the eye to your brain. Your optic nerve transmits the signals received by the back of your eye (the retina), to your brain.

Glaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerve, slowly destroying vision and eventually causing blindness. Sadly, there is no cure for glaucoma, but it can be controlled and its progress stopped, or at least, slowed down. This is one of the reasons we recommend regular eye tests according to your eye health needs. Today, we have equipment available to diagnose glaucoma earlier than ever before. Early detection means we can start treatment before too much vision has been lost. If you have any of the above symptoms, book an eye test with your Laubman and Pank Optometrist today.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GLAUCOMA?

Many people actually have no symptoms at all. If they do, then the first symptom is usually a reduction in side (peripheral) vision which gradually advances into their central field of view, eventually leading to tunnel vision.

If one or more of the following applies to you then we strongly recommend annual eye checks (instead of every two years).

• Have a family history of glaucoma
• Are aged over 50
• Are of African or Asian descent
• Have diabetes
• Have myopia (nearsighted)
• Have been on a prolonged course of cortisone (steroid) medication
• Experience migraines
• Have had an eye operation or eye injury
• Have a history of high or low blood pressure

HOW TO CONTROL GLAUCOMA?

With the right treatment, glaucoma can usually be managed and we can prevent further loss of sight or at least, slow it down.

There are three main types of treatment:

This is the most common treatment aimed at reducing pressure in the eyes. The drops must be used as prescribed.

This may be performed as an alternative to eye drops or if eye drops have not had the desired effect.

In most cases, surgery is the last resort if eye drops or laser treatment haven’t controlled your pressure. Thankfully modern surgical procedures are constantly improving.