Here at Envision Optical, on the Gold Coast and Tweed Heads, our optometrists are dedicated to helping you protect your eye health with routine eye exams. We are always looking to diagnose any disease early and help to prevent or manage the progression of several common eye conditions.
When looking at the eyes of our patients, one of the most common conditions we are checking for is glaucoma. Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that can cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve, which can lead to permanent vision loss. In fact, it is one of the leading causes of blindness in Australia. However, with early detection and proper treatment, the progression of the disease can be slowed or even halted.
Glaucoma is usually associated with increased pressure within the eye, which can damage the optic nerve. This pressure is due to a buildup of fluid that normally circulates through the eye, providing nourishment to the tissues. However, when this fluid cannot drain properly, pressure begins to build up, leading to damage to the optic nerve.
At Envision, we always check for glaucoma as part of your comprehensive eye exam. This is especially the case for those patients who are at a higher risk for the disease. Risk factors for glaucoma include age (those over the age of 50 are at a higher risk), a family history of glaucoma (up to 10x greater risk), certain medical conditions such as diabetes, and certain medications.
During a comprehensive eye exam, our optometrists will measure a patient's eye pressure and perform a thorough examination of the optic nerve health using OCT scans and Optomap retinal imaging, to detect the earliest signs of glaucoma damage.
If a patient is diagnosed with glaucoma, treatment options will depend on the severity of the disease. The goal of treatment is to lower eye pressure to help prevent further damage to the optic nerve. Treatment options may include the use of eye drops, or referrals to a specialist for laser therapy, or surgery. In some cases, a combination of these treatments may be necessary.
Glaucoma is a leading cause of avoidable blindness world-wide, and affects over 300,000 Australians, but still it's estimated that 50% of people living with glaucoma remain undiagnosed. We can't stress to you enough, the importance of having a regular eye check in order to diagnose and treat glaucoma as soon as possible. Early detection could save your sight!