Glaucoma can blind you, get your eyes tested
March 12 was World Glaucoma Day, the second day of its kind. This is a joint global initiative of the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and the World Glaucoma Patient Association (WGPA) to put the spotlight on glaucoma. The aim of the day is to raise awareness of Glaucoma as a leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide. Key message for this year's World Glaucoma Day was "glaucoma can blind you - get your eyes tested". Facts about glaucoma * Glaucoma affects about 30 lac people in Bangladesh * Around 95% people do not know about the disease * After cataract, it is the second largest cause of unnecessary sight loss worldwide * Glaucoma does not have any symptoms in its early stages * People can lose up to 40 per cent of their sight before they realise they have a problem * Regular sight tests are crucial to detect early signs of the disease * Without a regular eye test you may not find out until it is too late for treatment * If detected early the prospects of avoiding sight loss through treatment are excellent So are you one of the 30 lac people in our country with undiagnosed glaucoma? Get an eye test. If you have not had a recent sight test, arrange one today. About 700 eye doctors of our country can primarily test your eyes for glaucoma. An eye test is not just about getting glasses – it is a vital health check for your eyes. Why do you need an eye test?
A regular eye test can help detect eye conditions before you notice the effect on your sight. Early treatment can often prevent your sight from getting worse. Discuss the reason for your visit
It may be a routine eye test, you may have specific problems with your eyes and vision, or you may have been referred or sent by other physicians. Special demands on your eyes created by work and hobbies may also need to be addressed. The eye doctor may also want to know about your general health and health of your family, including if someone in your family has an eye condition specially glaucoma. Do you need extra tests as part of your eye test ?
Some people may be at higher risk of eye diseases like glaucoma and Diabetic or hypertensive eye complications — extra tests ensure early detection. In that cases measurement of eye pressure, retinal examination after dilating pupil, visual field examination etc. will be done. Diagnosis of glaucoma
If your doctor diagnose that you have glaucoma, usually anti glaucoma eye drops are given. You need to apply that drops meticulously to prevent further vision loss in your eyes. If your glaucoma is advanced then you may need LASER or surgical treatment for glaucoma. Awareness about glaucoma, its early diagnosis and proper treatment can prevent glaucoma blindness. The writer is an Associate Professor of Ophthalmilogy at BIRDEM Hospital, Dhaka. E-mail: nazrul.islam@hotmail.com
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