Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the optic nerve at the back of the eye is slowly destroyed. In most people this damage is due to an increased pressure inside the eye. In other patients the damage may be caused by poor blood supply to the vital optic nerve fibres, a weakness in the structure of the nerve, and/or a problem with the health of the nerve fibres themselves.
There are no warning signs and generally there is no pain associated with glaucoma. The loss of sight is gradual and a considerable amount of peripheral vision may be lost before the person becomes aware of any problem.
As any damage caused by glaucoma is irreversible, early detection is important.
You must be able to see properly to drive safely. Drivers with poor peripheral vision in both eyes are more at risk of crashing than drivers with normal peripheral vision.
Drivers with glaucoma have reduced peripheral vision which may prevent them from seeing cars close to them when pulling in or out of traffic or when overtaking. Also they may not see pedestrians stepping onto the road.
With normal peripheral vision the field of vision is 140 degrees
Example of reduced peripheral vision
Up to 300,000 Australians have glaucoma but only half of them have been diagnosed. Generally glaucoma develops slowly and there are no obvious symptoms.
Glaucoma is more common as people age. However, it can occur at any age and some people are more at risk than others.
You are more at risk if you:
- have a blood relative with glaucoma
- have diabetes and/or blood pressure problems
- are short-sighted (myopia) or long-sighted (hyperopia)
- have suffered a previous eye injury
- have used cortisone drugs (steroids) over an extensive period of time
- suffer from migraine and/or poor circulation.
Anyone in one of these higher risk groups should commence having regular eye tests no later than the age of 35, as they may be unaware of any changes until they have lost a considerable amount of their sight.
It is recommended that everyone else should be checked every two years from the age of 40.
Eye pressure and other tests carried out by an ophthalmologist (eye specialist) or optometrist can detect glaucoma at an early stage, sometimes before significant damage has occurred.
As there is no simple way of checking for glaucoma yourself, regular eye examinations are recommended.
Once glaucoma is detected treatment can usually prevent, or at least slow any further loss of sight.
Treatment generally involves prescribed eye drops to reduce the pressure inside the eye.
However, avoid driving if you feel that your eye drops are affecting your vision. If you have a concern consult your ophthalmologist.
Any ophthalmologist (eye specialist) or optometrist will be able to perform the simple, painless tests for glaucoma.
If your vision is being tested for prescription spectacles, or if you are over the age of 40, ask for a glaucoma test.
Glaucoma Australia is a not-for-profit, national, registered charity. It offers support to glaucoma sufferers and their families, distributes informative brochures, holds regular meetings, undertakes activities to increase public awareness and raises funds to assist Australian glaucoma research.
For more information about Glaucoma Australia or glaucoma please contact:
Glaucoma Australia Inc
PO Box 420 Crows Nest NSW 1585
Telephone: 1800 500 880
Fax: (02) 9439 8736
Email: glaucoma@glaucoma.org.au
Internet: www.glaucoma.org.au