Glaucoma is the name given to a group of diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve of the eye, leading to a loss of peripheral vision. The optic nerve connects the eye to the brain; information from the retina of the eye is passed along the optic nerve. The brain then processes this information and forms a picture of our surroundings. Glaucoma rarely gives you any symptoms until it is very advanced, by which time it is often too late to treat effectively. Treatments currently available will not reverse any damage that has already been caused, but can prevent any further damage occurring. It is therefore very important that glaucoma is picked up as early as possible to allow for more effective treatment. This is part of the reason why regular eye examinations are so important, even if you feel your vision has not changed. |
The ‘optic disc’ is the top of the optic nerve.
|
All of these tests have their limitations as highlighted above, and as such we are constantly looking at new ways to examine the eyes so we are obtaining as much information as possible. The OCT is a new method of examining the nerve fibres of the eye (which cannot be seen otherwise) and this can identify problems earlier than a lot of the other tests. No one test will tell us for sure whether you have glaucoma or not but by doing a range of different tests and collating the results we can more effectively identify glaucoma in its earlier stages. You can find out more about the OCT here.
'Even more importantly, make sure you stay up to date with your eye examinations as this is the best and most effective way to identify if things are changing. We generally recommend an eye examination every two years but if there is a history of glaucoma in your family (particularly a first degree relative such as a parent or sibling), or if there are signs that glaucoma may be developing, we will monitor you more closely than that.
Registered in England: 1184069. Registered address: RJ Holmes Opticians Ltd, Castle Street, Cirencester GL7 1QA
VAT Number: 484 8265 06
Website by www.artwebco.co.uk