Glaucoma
It's estimated 1 in 50 people will develop Glaucoma over the age of 40.
Glaucoma is a serious life changing disease that can threaten your vision and impact your daily life. It is one of the leading cause of blindness and if it goes undetected, it can cause permanent damage to your eyes.
Some people may have medical conditions and hereditary traits that can increase the chances of having glaucoma, this is a disease that can strike anybody so it’s important to get your eyes checked at least once a year and if you’re over the age of 40 then twice.
In recent years there have been advances in glaucoma detection, which means it can be treated earlier than ever and 95% of people who have glaucoma do not go blind.
A family history
Myopia (Short sightedness)
Diabetes
Age – the elderly are at more risk
Thin Corneas- that’s why everyone should undergo a corneal measurement
Low Corneal Hysteresis (shock absorbing or mechanical elasticity)
Race- its more common amongst black and asians
High eye pressure – if your eye pressure is higher than normal
Previous eye injury
While there are medical conditions and hereditary traits that can increase your chances of having this disease, this is a disease that can strike anybody so it’s important to get your eyes checked at least once a year and if you’re over the age of 40 then twice. Some people may be vulnerable to this condition due to:
Poor vision or other eye conditions
Over the age of 40
People with thin and sensitive corneas
Diabetes, high blood pressure or anaemia
Genetic vulnerability to glaucoma
Eye injury
Remember – this condition is so dangerous because it rarely has symptoms. Some symptoms which may be associated with acute glaucoma can include:
Headaches
Red eyes
Tunnel vision
Dizziness
Blurry vision
Halo-rings in the line of sight
A vision that progressively worsens – initially in the peripheral vision, later centrally
Pain on and around the eye
Nausea and vomiting
