World Glaucoma Week- Facts on the Silent Thief of Sight

Many of us see visually impaired people and think most of them must have been cursed. We think, who has he/she offended. These things happen, but many of them are actually victims of the silent thief of sight.
Today is day 5 of World Glaucoma Week and I just thought I should share some facts about glaucoma.
Glaucoma is a very misunderstood disease. It is regarded as the 'silent thief of sight' and often people don't realize the severity and who is affected.
Facts about Glaucoma
1) The term 'glaucoma' covers several different conditions.
~Chronic Primary Open Angle Glaucoma: this form usually affects both eyes and develops slowly so that loss of sight is gradual.
~Acute Angle Closure Glaucoma, there is a sudden increase in the pressure within one eye. The eye becomes red and painful. Often there is cloudiness of vision.
~Sometimes, other diseases of the eye cause a rise in pressure within the eye. This is called Secondary Glaucoma.
2) Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness.
Worldwide estimates put total number of suspected cases of glaucoma at over 60 million. It is also the second leading cause of blindness according to the WHO.
It can cause blindness if left untreated and unfortunately approximately 10% of people with glaucoma who receive proper treatment still experience loss of vision.
3)There is no cure (yet) for glaucoma
Glaucoma is currently not curable but you will not go blind if your glaucoma is diagnosed early enough and you follow your treatment as instructed. However, any vision lost cannot be regained.
4)Everyone is at risk for glaucoma
From babies to adults but older people are at a higher risk. Other high risk groups include, family members of those already diagnosed,diabetics,people who are severely near sighted and people of african descent.
In conclusion, there may be no symptoms to warn you especially with open angle glaucoma which is the most common form. Vision loss begins with peripheral or side vision. You may compensate for this unconsciously by turning your head to the side and may not notice anything until significant vision is lost.
Diagnosis is the first step to preserving your vision and the aim of treatment is to lower pressure within the eye and prevent further damage to the optic nerve and vision loss. Because treatment can only control, not cure, the condition, it must be continued throughout life.
Book an appointment today with your eye care specialist.




* Sources: Glaucoma Research Foundation
                  Moorfields eye hospital NHS Foundation Trust