Regular eye tests recommended
Regular eye tests recommendedA new glaucoma-awareness campaign, aimed at those of African Caribbean descent living in the UK, has been launched by the College of Optometrists after research revealed a worrying lack of awareness of the eye condition which may cause complete sight loss if undetected.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases where the optic nerve, which connects your eye to your brain, is damaged by the pressure of the fluid inside your eye. This may be because the pressure is higher than normal, or because the nerve is more susceptible to damage from pressure. This may affect one or both of your eyes.
Because you cannot feel the pressure, and the damage happens slowly, you may not know you have glaucoma until a lot of damage has been done. That damage cannot be put right, so it is particularly important that you find out early.
Anyone can develop glaucoma. The risk of developing glaucoma goes up if you are:
• aged over 40
• very short-sighted
• of African or Caribbean origin
• closely related to someone with glaucoma.
If one of your parents or children, or a brother or sister, has glaucoma, and you are over 40, the NHS will pay for your eye examination. (In Scotland all eye examinations are provided under the NHS)
While glaucoma can develop in people of any ethnic origin, people of African Caribbean origin are up to six times more likely to develop the condition and it can develop approximately ten years earlier than in other ethnic groups.
According to research by the College of Optometrists, over a third (36%) of people of African Caribbean descent living in the UK are unaware that they are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma. This has prompted the College of Optometrists to launch the ‘Eye Matter’ campaign to raise awareness of the condition and its prevalence among this high risk community.
As part of the campaign, College members are visiting community groups in Croydon, Birmingham and Manchester to talk to local members of the African Caribbean community about the condition and the importance of regular check-ups in catching it earlier to reduce the risk of avoidable sight loss. A Question & Answer session will also be held to answer any questions from people concerned that they or a family member may be developing the condition. Simulator spectacles will also be available to give people an idea of what living with the disease in the advanced stages is like.
Dr Susan Blakeney, the College of Optometrists’ Clinical Adviser, said: “Glaucoma is often without symptoms until significant vision has been lost. However, early detection increases the chances of effective treatment, which is why it is so important to go for regular check-ups. It’s such a simple message and one we want more people in at-risk groups to hear, which is why we have launched the campaign and are meeting with people from the African Caribbean community.”
The campaign has been welcomed by African Caribbean community organisations. Janet Corlis, CEO of the Afro-Caribbean Millennium Centre commented: “We’re really pleased that the College of Optometrists is launching a campaign to raise awareness of glaucoma. At the moment too many members of our community know little about the condition and as a result often don’t seek treatment early enough. We look forward to working with the College over the next few weeks to make sure as many members of our community as possible know all the facts about the condition and the importance of looking after their eye health.”
What to do to ensure you are not developing glaucoma
Book an appointment with your optometrist. If you are on certain benefits, aged over 60, or over 40 and one of your parents, children, or a brother or sister, has glaucoma the NHS will pay for your sight test.
If you think that you or a family member could be at risk of developing glaucoma or you already have it but would like further information visit www.lookafteryoureyes.org or make an appointment with your optometrist who will be able to answer your questions and discuss the most appropriate form of action.
Alternatively, you can call Sightline – an information, support and advice service provided by the International Glaucoma Association – on 01233 648170.