4 minute read
Glaucoma, a ticking time bomb
What you should know about glaucoma
Dr Pixie McKenna answers some common questions relating to the condition
Is there any particular lifestyle routine which can help prevent or at least minimise its seriousness when developing glaucoma?
It’s important to get regular eye tests. Most glaucoma cases are picked up through routine eye tests, but these were restricted during the pandemic. Through regular eye tests for early detection, followed by careful observation and regular treatment, can usually minimise loss of vision. Most patients are entitled to an eye test free of charge through the public health service every two years
Is there any evidence that it is, or can, be hereditary?
Yes, some eye conditions, such as glaucoma, are hereditary and some, such as Retinitis Pigmentosa, also known as RP, are genetic conditions and can be inherited. It is really important to have regular eye tests if you have a family history of glaucoma and, if someone in the family develops problems with their retinas, make sure you tell your optician.
Can diet be an important factor in minimising its onset?
We’ve all heard that carrots can help us see in the dark and there is some truth behind it. Eating a healthy diet is good for your eyes. For example, leafy green vegetables and nuts have lots of health benefits and can help protect against a range of eye conditions. Regular exercise can help reduce your risk of conditions caused by being overweight, such as type 2 diabetes.
It is said that glaucoma is a symptomless condition but can other conditions such as hypertension exacerbate its effects and is there a connection?
Yes they can. We see Glaucoma more in patients who have diabetes and high blood pressure. These conditions have an impact on eye health overall.
Also is there any connection between diabetes and glaucoma?
Yes, diabetes can increase your chances of developing Glaucoma.
We usually associate glaucoma with older people but can it be contracted by younger people – and how young?
In Ireland, it is most commonly detected in patients over the age of 60. While it can develop in younger patients, it is rare.
Should there be a Government information campaign alerting the population to the consequence and prevalence of glaucoma?
I would agree that there should be. We have seen by the survey in the report that further education is required on one of the biggest causes of blindness in Europe as well as the importance of regular eye tests. Almost 40% of the Irish population don’t know what glaucoma is, despite it being the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness it is important we reduce that statistic.
Irish doctor and television personality, Dr Pixie McKenna, recently launched The State of the Ireland’s Eye Health 2022 report
Glaucoma - A
Ticking Time Bomb
Almost 40 per cent of the Irish population don’t know what glaucoma is, despite it being the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness.
This shock statistic came to light in a surve conducted to mark World Sight Day (Thursday, 13 October) by Specsavers. It revealed worrying misconceptions around glaucoma (a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve) – 48 PER CENT of respondents don’t worry about it because they think ‘it’s rare’ while 40% wrongly believe it can be ‘cured’. There are more than 246,773 people in Ireland who are blind or visually impaired. But alarmingly, almost half (48%) of people still don’t know how often they should visit their optician for a routine check-up. A staggering 75 per cent of all sight loss is avoidable and Specsavers believes nobody should have to live with sight loss that could be avoided.
The Specsavers report highlights the link between sight loss and an increase in risk of loneliness, isolation and other health conditions such as clinical depression, diabetes, dementia and stroke. Glaucoma is a key focus for the report. Kerril Hickey, Chairman of Specsavers Ireland, describes the findings as deeply concerning. He says: ‘Glaucoma can be symptomless which is why only half of those affected even know they have the condition. While it cannot simply be cured or reversed, early treatment can be particularly effective in slowing or preventing vision loss, it is crucial that it is detected at the first possible opportunity’. Anna Moran, interim CEO of Fighting Blindness, says: ‘We remain deeply concerned about the lasting impact of coronavirus on people with, and at risk of, sight loss. Throughout the pandemic, so many of us concerned with eye health have worked hard to provide urgent care and support to those who have needed it. There is now a move towards getting back to in-person meetings and consultations – but there is a backlog that the specialist hospitals are struggling to meet’. For more information about the State of Ireland’s Eye Health Report visit https://www.specsavers.ie/reports/state-of-
irelands-eye-health-2022
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