The researchers are The onset of glaucoma is predicted, Common eye conditions, which can lead to blindness if left untreated, are expected to rise by 60% across the UK by 2060.
Using the latest census data, UCL Moorfields Eye Hospital estimates that around 1.1 million people in the UK currently have glaucoma, which equates to around 3% of people aged over 40. A study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology predicts this figure will rise to 1.6 million by 2060, based on Office for National Statistics population projections.
These numbers highlight the importance of regular eye exams and early detection of glaucoma. To better understand this condition, we spoke to Clinical Advisor Dennis Boone. College of Optometryfind out its causes and important signs to look out for.
What is glaucoma?
“glaucoma “This is a group of diseases in which the optic nerve is damaged by the pressure of fluid in the eye. It can affect one or both eyes and, if untreated, can lead to blindness,” explains Voon.
There are different types of glaucoma, but the two most common types are chronic glaucoma and acute glaucoma.
“Chronic glaucoma develops slowly and is the most common condition in the UK, whereas acute glaucoma (also known as acute angle-closure glaucoma) is caused by a sudden increase in air pressure,” Dr Voon says.
Who is at high risk for glaucoma?
“Anyone can develop chronic glaucoma, but you are at higher risk if you are over 40 and if you are very nearsighted. african or caribbean “If you have a blood relative with chronic glaucoma, if you have known elevated intraocular pressure, if you have diabetes, if you have high blood pressure,” Voon explains.
“But in the case of acute glaucoma, women tend to be more susceptible, and you’re also at higher risk if you’re over 40, of East or South Asian descent, have a family history of near-angle glaucoma, or are farsighted because your eyes are a little smaller.”
How serious is glaucoma?
“Both types of glaucoma can lead to irreversible vision loss if untreated,” warns Voon. “In the very late stages of untreated glaucoma, you will notice tunnel vision, so your peripheral vision gradually decreases until you reach a point where only the central part of your vision remains.”
what do you have in common symptoms Glaucoma?
“For acute glaucoma, symptoms are usually very obvious and include eye pain/pain/discomfort, blurred vision, and perhaps a halo around light,” says Voon. “You may notice that your pupils get bigger when you go into darkness.”
of NHS website Other important signs to look out for include red eyes, tenderness around the eyes, rainbow-colored halos around bright lights, feeling sick (nausea), feeling unwell, and/or headaches.
“But with chronic glaucoma, you don’t have any symptoms in the early stages. The only way to actually detect glaucoma is to go to your optometrist regularly,” says Voon.
How is glaucoma diagnosed?
“There are many different tests that an optometrist can perform, but the most common test that an optometrist performs is an intraocular pressure test. [often called a tonometry] “We check to see if the pressure in the eye is abnormally high or if there has been a change in the pressure in the eye,” Voon explains.
“We’ll also look at your optic disc, the head of the nerve that connects your eye to your brain, to see if there are any subtle changes in its structure that may have been damaged by glaucoma. We can also do a visual field test, so you can look at your peripheral vision and visual field to see if there are any changes there.”
How is glaucoma treated?
Treatment depends on how vision is affected and the type of glaucoma.
“Typically, glaucoma is treated with eye drops,” says Voon. “But there are also different types of surgeries and laser treatments that can lower the pressure and help drain fluid a little more.”
Is there anything I can do to prevent glaucoma?
“Right now we don’t know anything you can do to prevent glaucoma,” Voon says. “The best thing to do if you’re concerned about glaucoma is to have regular eye exams. That way, if you develop glaucoma, you can catch it early and treat it early so it doesn’t get worse and lead to blindness.”