What is Glaucoma

What is glaucoma? With OPSM Silverdale

Your optic nerve transmits the signals received by the back of your eye, the retina, to your brain. Glaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerve, slowly destroying vision and eventually causing blindness. Sadly, there is no cure for glaucoma but it can be controlled and its progress stopped, or at least slowed down. This is one of the reasons we recommend an

eye examination at least every two years, particularly if

you are over 40. Early detection means we can start treatment before too much vision has been lost.

What are the symptoms?

Many people with the early stages of glaucoma have no idea at all, as the disease shows few symptoms and develops slowly. The first sign is usually a reduction in side (peripheral) vision. Later, vision becomes blurred and it becomes hard to adjust to low light conditions. If you experience any of these symptoms, make an appointment with your OPSM optometrist as soon as possible.

What causes it?

Anyone can get glaucoma, but if you have any of the following the risk is higher: • A family history of glaucoma (especially close relatives). • High eye pressure. • Diabetes. • Migraine. • Short- or long-sightedness. • A previous history of eye injury. • High or low blood pressure. • A history of prolonged cortisone drug use (steroids). If any of these apply to you, it’s important to have a glaucoma check by the age of 35, and again every two years.

What is the treatment?

With the right treatment, glaucoma can usually be controlled and further loss of sight either prevented, or at least slowed down. There are three main types of treatment: Eye drops – this is the most common treatment, designed to reduce the pressure in the eyes and the drops must be used as prescribed. Laser surgery – this may be performed as an alternative to eye drops or if eye drops have not had the desired effect. Surgery – in most cases this is performed after the other two options have failed to control the pressure in the eye. A new channel is created to allow fluid to leave the eye. Sadly, the effects of glaucoma cannot be reversed and these treatments will not improve eyesight or repair vision. This is why early detection

and treatment is so important.

If you have any questions regarding this or any other eye issue, or would like to book an appointment for an eye test, please call OPSM Silverdale on 09 426 7902.

OPSM SILVERDALE OFFERS FREE EYE TESTS TO ALL SOUTHERN CROSS HEALTH

SOCIETY MEMBERS^

Southern Cross Health Society members can also save 15%* on a wide range of quality prescription glasses, non-prescription and prescription sunglasses.

OPSM Silverdale

Silverdale Centre Shop 11B 61 Silverdale St Silverdale, AUK 0932 Tel: (09) 426 7902

opsm.co.nz

^ Offer is applicable on a Standard Eye Test at OPSM plus a digital retinal scan. Available for Southern Cross Health Society members only (excludes travel insurance policy holders). Please present your Southern Cross membership number or card to redeem offer. Subject to appointment availability. Excludes contact lens examinations. Offer only available once per eligible member every two years. Offer is not transferrable to another person. *Excludes eye tests and contact lens consultations and designer brand frames and sunglasses by Chanel and Maui Jim products. Health fund discounts are not available in conjunction with any other offer, discount or benefit other than the

Southern Cross Health Society Easy-Claim.