BEAT INVISIBLE GLAUCOMA – IT’S B.I.G.
A new campaign launched this week – Beat Invisible Glaucoma – is calling on Australians to fight the disease which is the world’s leading cause of irreversible blindness. More than 300,000 Australians have this disease but only half know about it; mostly because they haven’t had a simple optic nerve check, according to Geoff Pollard, national executive officer of Glaucoma Australia, the peak body.
“Fifty per cent of people with glaucoma in Australia are undiagnosed. That’s why it’s so important to get a regular optic nerve check as part of a comprehensive eye test. Early detection is vital to preserve vision as, by the time symptoms develop, significant sight loss has usually occurred. Glaucoma is truly an invisible disease,” Mr. Pollard said.
A total of 40 per cent of Australians have their eyes tested less often than every two years or have never had their eyes tested.” Glaucoma can affect people at any age but the incidence does increase dramatically with age – one in 200 people aged 40 has it – rising to one in eight by the age of 80.
“About 11,000 Australians are blind from glaucoma at any one time- this is a tragedy that is largely preventable.” This is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, and is known as the ‘sneak thief of sight’ because it has very few symptoms until the condition is advanced.
The good news is that early detection is possible! In our practice at Castle Hill we have the latest optical imaging technology allowing us to capture an ultra-wide 200 degree digital retinal image of your eye.
Make sure glaucoma screening is part of your regular eye exam.
Once a diagnosis is made, you need to continue treatment to keep it in check. Treatment can usually prevent further vision loss and may consist of eye drops and/or laser and sometimes surgery is used.
Glaucoma Facts
• It is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.
• One in eight Australians over 80 will develop glaucoma.
• First degree relatives of patients with the disease have an eight-fold increased risk of developing it themselves.
• 50 per cent of people with glaucoma in Australia are undiagnosed.
• In 2005 it cost the Australian health care $342 million.
• The total annual cost in 2005 was $1.9 billion.
• The total cost is expected to increase to $4.3 billion by 2025.
