Eye Health | Glaucom
“The sneak thief of sight”
Glaucoma is a devastating eye disease that affects around five percent of the population in South Africa and it is the only eye disease that is listed as a chronic disease. It is a disorder where abnormally high pressure due to too much liquid (aqueous humor) in the eyeball, damages the optic nerve at the back of the eye. It is one of the leading causes of blindness in South Africa and it is estimated that about 200 000 people are currently affected by this disease. Worldwide the total number of suspected glaucoma cases is around 66 million.
Glaucoma can occur in one of two forms:
- Acute glaucoma is rare and can lead to instant blindness.
- Chronic glaucoma which is more common and progresses slowly and “silently” over years. When you first become aware of the symptoms of chronic glaucoma, the damage to the optic nerve may be very advanced.
50 Percent of affected people in the developed world and up to 90 percent of people in developing countries do not know that they have the disease and are therefore not on treatment. Thus it is extremely important that community awareness should be increased.
Regular eye checks needed!!
By having your eyes checked reguraly, an early stage of this disease can easily be detected. Although older people are at a higher risk, babies can be born with glaucoma (approximately one out of every 10 000 babies born in the US are affected). Young adults can get glaucoma too. In South Africa, glaucoma is far more prevalent in the black community. High risk groups include people who are over the age of sixty, people related to those who are already diagnosed with glaucoma and people who are severely nearsighted. According to the World Health Organisation, untreated glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world.
No cure as yet
As yet, glaucoma cannot be cured and there is no way to regain lost vision.With early detection the condition may be medicated or it can be surgically operated on and the loss of vision may be halted. Unfortunately, 10 percent of people with glaucoma who receive proper treatmend still lose their vision. It is a chronic condition and must be monitored for life.
Glaucoma is often referred to as the 'sneak thief of sight', because most types cause no pain at all and produce no symptoms. For this reason, glaucoma often progresses undetected until the optic nerve has already been irreversibly damaged, with varying degrees of permanent vision loss. The goal of treatment is the preservation of visual function and quality of life with minimal disruption to the patient.
A survey done by the American Glaucoma Research Foundation proved that blindness is ranked third (after cancer and heart disease) as a disease of disability which people most fear.
Enhancing glaucoma awareness
It is important that South Africans are aware of the frequency of glaucoma and the devastating effect it has on vision. Every South African should visit their ophthalmologist or optometrist (one specially trained in glaucoma detection) every two to four years after the age of 40 and every one to two years after the age of 55. If there are any risk factors for developing glaucoma (such as blood relatives with glaucoma, short-sightedness and diabetes) then anyone 35 years and older should have a thorough glaucoma check every one to two years.
See your doctor if:
- you suspect that you have either acute or chronic glaucoma.
Recognise acute glaucoma by its dramatic symptoms:
- deep pain in one eye affecting the whole side of the head. The pain can cause nausea and vomiting.
- Partial loss of vision.
- Seeing coloured haloes around bright lights.
- The pupil does not contract in response to shining a light into it.
Recognise chronic glaucoma like this:
It has no symptoms or very subtle symptoms. The progression is so gradual that you may not recognise the progressive patchy loss of your minor field of vision. The central part of the vision is not affected until a very late stage. Damage almost always goes unnoticed until it is too late.
The only way to detect it early is during regular eye examinations. Visit your ophthalmologist at least once a year if:
- You are over 50 years of age
- You have a relative with glaucoma
- You are severely short-sighted
- You ever had a blow to the eye.
What can I do to protect my vision?
If you are being treated for glaucoma, take your medicine reguraly and be sure to visit your health care proffesional on a regular basis. Lowering eye pressure in the early stages of glaucoma slows the progression of the disease and helps to save your vision. If you have diabetes, a family history of glaucoma or if you are over the age of 50, be sure to have your eyes examined every one to two years!
What should I ask my eye care professional?
About my eye disease or disorder...
- “What is my diagnosis?”
- “What caused my condition?”
- “Can my condition be treated?”
- “How will this condition affect my vision now and in the future?”
- “Should I watch for any particular symptoms and notify you if they occur?”
- “Should I make any lifestyle changes?”
About my treatment...
- “When will the treatment start and how long will it last?”
- “how successful is this treatment?”
- What are the risks associated with this treatment?
- Are there foods, drugs, or activities I should avoid while I'm on this treatment?
- If my treatment includes taking medicine, what should I do if I miss a dose?
- Are other treatments available?
How can it be treated?
Although glaucoma cannot be cured, it can be controlled by means of the following methods:
Medications:
These may be either in the form of eyedrops or pills. Some are designed to slow down the flowing of liquid in your eyeball and others are designed to increase drainage of the liquid. Regular use of medication will control the increased fluid pressure but these drugs may cause side-effects or even stop working over time. If a problem does occur, consult your eye care proffesional immediately. The eye care professional may decide to change the dose or change the the method of treatment.
Laser surgery:
During laser surgery, a strong beam of light is focused on the part of the frontal chamber where the fluid leaves the eyeThis surgery makes a few small changes and makes it easier for the liquid to leave the eye. Most people who uses this form of surgery have to keep using glaucome drugs to control the disease.
Surgery:
Surgery can also help fluid escape from the eye and thereby reduce the pressure. Surgery is usually reserved only for patients whose pressure cannot be controlled with eyedrops, pills, or laser surgery.