6 minute read
GLAUCOMA, THE FACTS
Glaucoma is a relatively common eye disease which initially displays no symptoms. This is why it is important to have regular eye tests
LINA OSMAN, A Consultant phthalmologist at the ni ersity Hospitals of Leicester NHS trust and The Stoneygate Eye Hospital, explains about glaucoma, including commonly asked questions and treatment options.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can cause irreversible damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve connects your eye to the seeing part of the brain. Having high pressure in your eyes is the most significant risk for developing glaucoma, although glaucoma can occur with normal eye pressure.
Vision loss from glaucoma occurs normally in the outer edge (peripheral) part of the vision and then progresses to the centre. If left untreated it can cause irreversible loss of vision. In most of the types of glaucoma the disease shows no symptoms until later on.
Possible symptoms are often non specific and include blurred, patchy or misty vision.
What should I do?
A check up at the optician is vital to screen for glaucoma and to be referred promptly to the specialist if there are any early signs. This is more important - and strongly advised - if a family member has already been diagnosed with glaucoma. If picked up early, treated promptly and followed up regularly, almost all types of glaucoma can be prevented from causing irreversible loss of vision and patients can keep good vision for life. How is glaucoma treated?
Treatment options are individually tailored. The main aims of all available treatments are to reduce the eye pressure. This remains to date the only risk factor that we can alter.
Whilst the most common type of treatment is eye drops, there are other treatment options that can be explored when eye drops are not suitable or not e ecti e ther options include laser treatment (selective laser Trabeculoplasty, laser peripheral iridotomy, cyclodiode), minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries, minimally invasive bleb-forming surgeries, trabeculectomy and glaucoma drainage devices or tubes. Cataract surgery can also be a treatment option for some types of glaucoma. Research into neuroprotective treatments is still underway and is not yet conclusive.
Can you cure glaucoma?
Most types of glaucoma are conditions that require lifelong treatment and monitoring. As the disease does not show any symptoms early on, you will need to be monitored in the clinic to pick up any early changes to the nerve. By having a regular check-up, prompt treatment can be advised and progression of the disease can be halted. It is important to have regular eye tests when glaucoma is often tested for at the same time.
Can I still drive with glaucoma? ertain types of glaucoma can a ect both eyes. In such situations your glaucoma specialist will advise you to inform DVLA as it is a legal requirement. Having glaucoma doesn’t mean you cannot drive, however you will be assessed periodically to ensure you are safe to do so.
To find out more or to book a no-obligation private consultation with Lina Osman, please contact The Stoneygate Eye Hospital on 0116 270 8033 or visit www. thestoneygateeyehospital.co.uk
Sweet tooth no more
Gary Trickett suggests ways to slay your sugar dragon for good
ACRAVING IS not hunger but dri en by your brain s need for reward as opposed to your body s need of food nd sugar cra ings are one of the most common and one of the main reasons we can find it so hard to stick to a healthy eating plan f you can work out why and understand your cra ing you can a oid your triggers nd when it comes to sugar there may be se eral Stress and low mood can push us to comfort eat; physical fatigue can demand a uick boost of energy and lack of sleep can upset the hormones that regulate feelings of hunger and satiety making us more susceptible to cra ings en dehydration and thirst can manifest as hunger and stimulate cra ings his is because your body needs an ade uate supply of uid to help metabolise glycogen stored sugar and if this isn t happening your body will start to trigger sugar cra ings to gi e itself a uick energy boost f you are to outsmart your cra ings you ll need to take a look at your diet arbohydrates form the bulk of our diet and range from simple sugars such as white sugar through to comple and slow to digest ones like grains and fresh green foods hese foods ha e a much kinder slow release e ect on the body hey do contain sugars but the sugars are locked up in the comple nature of their structure and it takes the body longer to access them our blood glucose re ects this by not displaying the ups and downs we get with simple sugars and refined foods eep your blood sugar le els balanced by a oiding or at least reducing all of the ob ious culprits such as cakes biscuits sweets and sugary drinks ncrease your comple carbs by eating more brown rice beans oatmeal peas broccoli and cooked spinach oods rich in protein are also important as they can help keep you fuller for longer nd fibre soluble fibre in particular can help to slow down the absorption of sugar Good protein sources include eggs nuts beans and
lentils and for fibre black beans butter beans and russel sprouts top the list ou should aim to eat a meal e ery three to fi e hours ertain nutrients may also help to keep sugar cra ings in check including chromium hromium is a trace mineral that is needed for the metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates because of its e ect on insulin hen you eat something sweet your blood sugar le els rise uickly triggering a release of insulin to help bring them back to normal f your body is releasing insulin on a regular basis you may become insulin resistant which is where diabetes comes in nce your blood sugar le els ha e spiked there comes an ine itable crash when you start to cra e sugar
hromium is belie ed to enhance the action of insulin and reduce insulin resistance t is also an acti e ingredient in Glucose olerance actor G a dietary component that increases the action of insulin Good food sources of chromium include wholegrains rewer s yeast broccoli and lentils or you could try a chromium supplement s with any healthy diet balance is really important utrient deficiencies can sometimes arise when you re dieting and doing your best to a oid sugar making you more ulnerable to cra ings ow le els of calcium magnesium and inc can sometimes contribute to sugar cra ings inc especially as it helps to support your production of insulin mineral supplement like ogel s alance ineral rink can help you to stay topped up t contains calcium magnesium and inc as well as natural itamin here are also many ways to sweeten food without adding sugar innamon is naturally sweet and delicious added to porridge oconut palm sugar is a low G alternati e to cane sugar with trace le els of phytonutrients inc and iron t also contains insulin to help support friendly gut bacteria and of course there s manuka honey rink plenty of uids to help metabolise your e isting sugar stores ou should be aiming for to litres of plain water a day
Visit Gary and his team at The Health Store, West Bridgford or call 0115 9814080.
