Raising awareness around Glaucoma and its prevention
WORLD Glaucoma Week was acknowledged by doctors and patients around the world from March 11 to 17.
The week-long focus on the eye condition was a collaboration between the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and the World Glaucoma Patient Association (WGPA).
Both associations used the week to raise glaucoma awareness and stress the importance of frequent eye examinations.
The theme for this year’s World Glaucoma Week was: “Green = Go get your eyes tested for glaucoma and save your sight.”
Glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in South Africa and the second-highest cause of blindness worldwide.
Glaucoma can be defined as a condition of increased pressure within the eye, and it causes damage to the optic nerve resulting in a gradual loss of vision.
Medical practitioners all over the world echo a common view, that early diagnosis and preventative treatment means glaucoma damage can be reduced to a minimum.
Veni Moodley, who has a masters degree in optometry from the University of Kwazulu-natal, and is an optometrist by trade, explained the various degrees of glaucoma.
“Congenital glaucoma is a rare, inherited type of the disease caused by a development defect before birth. Depending on the severity, early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to halt further visual loss.
“Risk factors for glaucoma include age, family history, a high degree of myopia (shortsightedness) or hyperopia (farsightedness), and a history of eye injuries.
“However, the use of cortisone (steroids) either in the eye or systemically will cause inflammation or structural changes within the eye,” said Moodley.
When looking at the effects of glaucoma, it is important to understand that signs and symptoms are two very different terms.
Moodley said: “Signs are what we find during an eye exam. This includes raised intraocular pressure changes to the optic disc.
“Symptoms that a patient experiences may include eye pain, headaches, blurred vision, a loss of peripheral vision and the appearance of halos around lights.
“I think the public needs to be more aware of the symptoms.”
According to Moodley, if glaucoma is left untreated, vision loss and optic nerve damage cannot be restored through treatment.
On treating glaucoma, Moodley said: “Treatment depends on the type and severity. Medication in the form of eye drops is often the first choice over surgery for patients.
“Eye drops reduce and control the intraocular pressure. When medication does not reduce the intraocular pressure, laser or incisional surgery is often recommended.”
Despite glaucoma being unnoticeable and pain-free, it is a silent and slow disorder that causes permanent damage to the eyes.
The South African
National Council for the Blind has developed an online eye test which uses an Amsler grid to test for macular degeneration and vision problems. It consists of four easy questions – you cover one eye and look at the grid. It can be found on: www.sancb.org. za/article/online-eye-test