Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness world wide. It has been predicted that 1 in 10 Australians over the age of 80 will develop glaucoma. Glaucoma is a very slow progressing condition and in most cases has no symptoms that will alert a person that something is wrong. It is usually only diagnosed during a routine eye examination.

Glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve at the back of the eye is damaged. As the damage progresses signals from the retina fail to reach the back of the eye. This results in a gradual loss of peripheral vision which is not noticeable in the early stages of the disease. Unfortunately we can not reverse any damage, just prevent further loss.

The most common form of glaucoma is associated with an elevation in the pressure in the front chamber of the eye. As the pressure increases this causes more damage to the optic nerve.

Glaucoma can be successfully treated in most cases with a simple eye drop that is used once a day. These drops reduce the pressure in the eye preventing further damage. All glaucoma patients should be regularly assessed.

This information has been provided as a general guide and should not be used to diagnose or manage your eye condition. Always seek the advice of a qualified healthcare practitioner. Regular eye examinations are recommended.