2 minute read
Importance of eye exams
Glaucoma could deliver a sucker punch to young, undiscerning Bermudians
Dr. Vellore Chandran Parthasarathy explains the importance of early testing for glaucoma
When a 35-year-old male walks into my RƸFHIRUWKHYHU\ƶUVW time with features of advanced glaucoma, my heart sinks as I realise that it is the lack of awareness that has contributed to his plight. It will be an uphill struggle from here to preserve his sight. *ODXFRPDDƵHFWVDOODJHV from infants to the elderly. The earlier the onset of glaucoma, worse is the prognosis. There is strong genetic basis to the history must start his regular Americans, and only half of disease and families with visits to the optometrist by them are even aware of their glaucoma should urge the the age of 20 years. Glaucoma condition. What makes it deadly younger members to get tested. is more prevalent in short is the fact that it produces no We are increasingly realising sighted (myopic) individuals and symptoms until very late in the that all screening protocols diabetics, in whom the screening disease. African Americans have should commence earlier should commence early. a six to eight-fold risk of going than what was once thought. It is estimated that glaucoma blind from glaucoma compared A person with a positive family DƵHFWVPRUHWKDQPLOOLRQ to Caucasians. A family history of glaucoma is by far the biggest risk factor for acquiring the disease.
There is overwhelming evidence in literature that early detection is one of the key factors in successful management of the condition. The entire prognosis changes when somebody is detected early on in the disease process, avoiding sight threatening complications.
Glaucoma is well controlled in a vast majority of patients with eye drops. In a minority, a surgical option may need to be pursued.
It must be emphasised that glaucoma is not synonymous with blindness and most patients are able to carry on with their lives till the very end. However, the key to management is early detection, good drug FRPSOLDQFHDQGHƸFLHQW monitoring using good timetested clinical methods and technology.
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