Glaucoma
Can you spot the difference?
We can
One in two people with glaucoma are unaware they have the disease.
Glaucoma is a condition that causes damage to the optic nerve of the eye resulting in patchy loss of vision, starting in the periphery of the eye, which slowly gets worse over time. Fortunately, glaucoma is treatable and the deterioration in vision can be minimised by using special eye drops. However, early diagnosis and commencement of treatment is required to prevent significant sight loss.
Perfect vision does not mean healthy eyes
Glaucoma is commonly referred to as the “thief of sight” as you may be unaware you have it until you begin having vision problems. In fact, 50% of people with advanced glaucoma are unaware they have the disease. This is because the brain very cleverly compensates for the blind spots in your vision by filling in the gaps. Unfortunately, this results in either “seeing things” that are not really there or missing the things that are.
If problems with your vision arise due to undiagnosed glaucoma, it is likely that significant damage to your eyes has already occurred and this damage is irreversible. Once glaucoma has reached an advanced stage, it can seriously impact your daily life and make simple activities difficult or impossible.
Why should I have a SPECTRALIS® 4D HD Eye Health Check?
Early detection and rapid referral for treatment are key to saving sight.
Glaucoma progresses very slowly. Having the ability to scan your eyes for changes and monitor the progression of these changes over time is the key to detecting the disease in its early stages and preventing sight loss. SPECTRALIS can measure tiny changes in your eye over time to 1/1000 millimetre at every visit. Your eye care professional will keep a record of all your check-ups and be able to compare past scans with current ones to look for any signs of early glaucoma or monitor a confirmed case of glaucoma.
The result is a truly 4-dimensional eye health check. The SPECTRALIS 4D HD Eye Health Check offers you the peace of mind that comes with knowing if your eyes are healthy or that your eye care professional will see the smallest change before you do.
Where can I find out more about glaucoma?
You can find out more about the different types, symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma here here: http://www.nhs.uk/
