World Glaucoma Week Highlights Value Of Eye Tests

Post on 13th March 2017

It’s World Glaucoma Week (12-18 March) and a good time to think about getting your eyes tested.

The focus on this condition is important because if left untreated glaucoma can cause blindness. The good news is that having a regular eye test can detect the condition.

Glaucoma has few or no initial symptoms but causes damage to the eye’s optic nerve that worsens over time. While treatment is effective in arresting the disease, it cannot reverse damage caused previously. This means the earlier the diagnosis, the less damage done and the more vision there is to save.

Scrivens optometrist Paul Sidhu said: “The challenge with glaucoma is that generally it causes no pain and vision loss is gradual over time. If left undetected, people may initially miss objects out of the corner of their eye or seem to be looking through a tunnel. Having regular eye tests is the best way you can ensure healthy vision for years to come.”

Glaucoma can affect people of all ages, including babies and young children, but is most common in adults in their 70s and 80s. Although it usually develops slowly over many years very occasionally it can develop suddenly and cause intense eye pain, a red eye, headaches, tenderness around the eyes and blurred vision.

If you have any concerns about your eye health, or you have not had an eye test for more than two years, you can find help and advice at your local Scrivens branch.