Early detection and treatment of glaucoma important
With World Glaucoma Week upon us, local optometrists would like you to keep an eye on your eyesight with regular checkups.
March 6-12 is World Glaucoma Week. Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that cause progressive damage of the optic nerve at the point where it leaves the eye to carry visual information to the brain.
Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide and as many as 4.5 million people globally are blind because of it.
This number will rise to 11.2 million by 2020. Due to the silent progression of the disease up to 50 per cent of affected persons in developed countries and up to 90 per cent in developing nations are not aware they have it.
“It’s one of those things that is very advanced by the time people have symptoms,” said local optometrist Dr. Maggie Gibb. “That’s why it’s really important to have an eye exam with a doctor of optometry to ensure it’s being monitored or that it’s caught early and treated so you don’t have vision loss.”
Once incurred, visual damage is mostly irreversible, and this has led to glaucoma being described as the “silent blinding disease” or the “sneak thief of sight”.
“If you are having vision loss due to glaucoma, it’s very advanced,” said Gibb.
There is no cure for glaucoma and vision loss is irreversible.
However, medication or surgery can halt or slow any further vision loss, making early discovery and prevention measures vital.
“We want to diagnose it early on when you haven’t experienced vision loss,” she said. “So basically your eyes are still seeing for as long as you need them.”
Gibb suggests adults should have their eyes checked every two years, and children under 19 are covered for yearly eye exams under Alberta Health. Those 65 and older are also entitled to coverage for eye exams.
Gibb said as many as 35 per cent of Albertans do not have an optometrist.
“That is part of the problem with treating it,” she said.
Many people are unaware that the monitoring for any medically necessary eye conditions for Albertans of any age is covered by Alberta Health. It means that follow-up appointments made after the discovery of a potential medical issue would be covered.
Another reason for people to schedule regular eye checkups is those exams can reveal other issues that may not have been diagnosed, such as heart issues or high blood pressure.
“There is a lot of co-ordination there,” she said.
For more information, visit the Alberta Association of Optometrists at optometrists.ab.ca or speak to an optometrist.
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