Glaucoma
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in people over 40 years of age. Almost all blindness caused by glaucoma can be prevented if it is discovered early enough. Glaucoma occurs when the pressure of the fluids within the eye gets too high.
There are two types of glaucoma: chronic open angle glaucoma and acute angle-closure glaucoma. Glaucoma can’t be cured, but in most cases it responds well to treatment.
Who is at Risk?
You are at greater risk of having glaucoma if you:
* Are over 40 years of age
* Have relatives with glaucoma
* Have diabetes
* Are shortsighted
* Get migraines.
Chronic open-angle glaucoma
* The most common type of glaucoma
* Occurs slowly with few symptoms and can go unnoticed for years
* Occurs when the pressure rises slowly because the canals that drain the fluid away don’t work properly
* Normally affects both eyes
* Causes a gradual loss of sight
* Is usually treated with eye drops and/or tablets, which must be used every day as your doctor advises
* If medicines don’t work you may require eye surgery
* Laser treatment of the eye may be used
Acute angle-closure glaucoma
* Much less common than open-angle glaucoma
* Occurs acutely causing severe pain, blurred sight, coloured rings around lights, nausea and even vomiting
* Occurs when the drainage canal becomes completely blocked without warning
* Normally affects only one eye at a time
* Can cause blindness if not treated straight away
* Needs surgery or laser treatment urgently
Secondary glaucoma
* Is caused by other conditions such as injuries or inflammation.
Symptoms
Most people have no symptoms - changes in sight are gradual and may not be noticed. These changes can include:
* The need to change glasses often
* Finding it hard to see in dark rooms
* Loss of side vision
* Blurred sight.
Rarely people may:
* See coloured rings around lights
* Have pain and severe headaches.
The earlier glaucoma is discovered and treated, the greater the chance of keeping your sight.
Tests
There are ways to check if you have glaucoma.
* Your eye specialist can measure the fluid pressure in your eye.
* Your eye specialist and/or doctor can check the nerves and blood vessels in your eye for damage.
* Your field of vision can be tested for blind spots or sight loss.
Self Care
* Have your eyes checked every two years or as often as your eye specialist advises.
* Understand the glaucoma medicines you use and how they work (ask your pharmacist and doctor).
* Using your glaucoma medicines every day as your doctor advises is important.
* Tell all new doctors or health professionals what medicines you are using for glaucoma.
* Have an extra supply of medicines on hand at work and if you plan to be away from home for a few days.
* Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using other medicines, eye drops or eyewashes.
* Carry an identification card (available from the Glaucoma Foundation).
Eye drops for glaucoma
* Work by reducing the amount of fluid in the eye or opening the drainage canal
* Can cause red eyes, stinging, and sometimes headaches
* Are sometimes used together with oral medicines
* Can affect other parts of the body (ask your pharmacist or doctor)
Write the date on the bottle when you open it, and throw out the drops after 28 days.
Using Eye Drops
1. Wash hands thoroughly.
2. Tilt head back.
3. Pull down lower lid.
4. Look up and drop in one drop. Don’t let the container touch the eye.
5. Close eye gently.
6. With the end of finger, put gentle pressure over the inner corner of the eye (tear duct), near your nose. Hold for a few minutes. This will help keep the drop in the eye.
7. Instil second drop if prescribed (wait about 3-4 minutes after the first drop to avoid washing it out of the eye).
Contact:
A doctor - listed under medical practitioners in the yellow pages of the phone book
The Glaucoma Foundation Inc. of Australia
PO Box 420
Crows Nest NSW 1585
In case of poisoning, phone the Poisons Information Centre on 131 126 from anywhere in Australia.
Pharmacists are medicines experts. Ask your pharmacist for advice when choosing a medicine.
