By Paul Round
Over 700,000 people in the UK are living with glaucoma 鈥 yet staggeringly half remain undiagnosed. According to the experts, early detection can make all the difference.
That鈥檚 why this Glaucoma Awareness Week (30th June – 6th July), Optical Express is urging Brits to take control of their eye health – before permanent vision loss occurs.
Glaucoma typically develops when increased pressure in the eye damages the optic nerve, and it often progresses without noticeable symptoms. By the time many people realise there鈥檚 a problem, the damage is permanent.
Glaucoma isn鈥檛 just a concern for older adults. Certain types of the condition such as juvenile open-angle glaucoma, can affect people in their teens or twenties.
Family history also plays a major role. For instance, if a parent or grandparent has glaucoma, your chances of developing it increase significantly.
Other risk factors include high myopia, diabetes and elevated eye pressure, all of which make regular eye tests essential.
Glaucoma is manageable when caught early, as prescription eye drops, innovative laser treatment and surgery can help control the condition and protect your vision.
Public figures like Alan Carr have shared their own experience with glaucoma, helping to raise awareness and highlighting how important it is to act before symptoms appear.
Dr Stephen Hannan, Clinical Services Director at Optical Express, said: 鈥淕laucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the UK, and it often goes unnoticed until it鈥檚 too late. 鈥淵ou don鈥檛 need to wait for symptoms. Regular comprehensive eye tests are the best way to detect glaucoma early and reduce the risk of permanent damage. Optometrists are experts at detecting glaucoma.
鈥淭oo many people assume that glaucoma is only a concern later in life, which is a dangerous myth. Age increases the risk, but we regularly see cases in much younger patients, particularly those with a strong prescription, diabetes, or a family history of the disease. Sadly the damage caused by this condition not only to the eye but to the patients鈥 quality of life can be irreversible.
鈥淭he earlier we catch it, the more we can do to protect your vision.鈥
Take control of your eye health today and book an appointment at www.opticalexpress.co.uk.