MY HEALTH EXPERIENCE:Glaucoma is the world's leading cause of preventable blindness, affecting 2 per cent of people over 40 and one in 20 of those aged over 70. It is a progressive eye disease that is often characterised by increased eye pressure.
Thanks to big developments in the treatment of the disease it is much easier to control and it is very rare for someone with glaucoma to go totally blind nowadays, says Prof Colm O’Brien, consultant ophthalmologist at the Mater University Hospital in Dublin.
The use of eye drops to manage eye pressure means that the need for surgical intervention has been reduced by two-thirds in Ireland, he says.
In addition, figures from the National Council for Blind of Ireland indicate that about 12 per cent of those who join the blind register have glaucoma.
Despite the fact that Ireland has an ageing population, that percentage has not changed in the past 10 years suggesting that the number of people going blind is decreasing, says O’Brien.
People who develop glaucoma when they are young, such as Martin Murphy, tend to have a much more aggressive version of the disease and usually only present when the disease is much more advanced, says O’Brien.
“Martin’s case is not typical. Most people who develop the disease in their 60s will be able to control the condition with two drops in their eyes a day.”
The best way to tackle glaucoma is to diagnose early, he says.
“All the evidence indicates that if we can diagnose a patient in the early stage of the disease, then there is every likelihood that treatment will prevent progression of the disease.
“Most patients are well treated with eye drops alone, though some require laser or surgery to control the eye pressure.”
The results of a new survey (sponsored by pharmaceutical firm Pfizer) reveals that awareness of the disease is extremely low even among those at risk of the disease. The primary risk factors for glaucoma include increasing age, family history of glaucoma, high intraocular pressure, marked near-sightedness, and African or Asian heritage.
The best ways to prevent vision loss and successfully manage glaucoma is to have regular complete eye examinations, be aware of your eye pressure and manage any changes, take any medication as instructed by your doctor, know your risk factors and, if in doubt, visit an eye health professional to ensure the disease is identified early.
This week participating opticians around the State are offering free glaucoma testing to mark World Glaucoma Day (March 12th).
- For further information visit alleyesonglaucoma.com or contact the National Council for Blind of Ireland on 1850 334353
- If you have had a health experience – good or bad – you would like to talk about, please contact: healthsupplement@irishtimes.com