StemCell Therapy

By CAROLINE WILSON

ALMOST half of the Glasgow public may be unaware they are at greater risk of an eye condition described as the silent thief of sight because of their age.

Glaucoma most commonly affects people over 40, around 44% of the population in Scotlands largest city.

However experts say around half of cases are undetected at an early stage which can avert damage to the eye because people are not taking advantage of free NHS eye tests.

A campaign will be launched this week in Glasgow to help raise awareness of the condition.

Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye conditions in which the main nerve to the eye (the optic nerve) is damaged where it leaves the eye.

This nerve carries information about what is being seen from the eye to the brain and, as it becomes damaged, vision is lost.

Some studies have also shown that diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease may increase the risk of developing the condition.

Marion Coull, 58, from Kilbirnie in North Ayrshire, was having a routine eye test when an optician identified a narrowing in the drainage angle of her eye.

A consultant at Ayr Hospital advised that Marion should have preventative surgery to reduce the risk of narrow-angle glaucoma.

She said: Its easy to take your sight for granted, but now more than ever I appreciate howmuch you rely on your vision in every part of your life and what a huge impact it

wouldve made if Id lost it.

Whats frightening is that I had no symptoms, so dont wait until you have something noticeably wrong with your vision to have an eye test, that way youre not risking permanent damage from any underlying conditions.

John Hughes, Development manager for the International Glaucoma Association (IGA), said: Despite close blood relatives having an increased risk of developing glaucoma, many people in at risk groups dont realise they could be affected by it.

As it can be symptomless, worryingly its often not until the glaucoma has taken hold that people seek medical attention.

We hope to encourage Glaswegians to have that regular eye test to ensure if they do have the condition that it is detected early and treated, particularly as the majority of individuals who are diagnosed early will retain useful sight for life.

As part of World Glaucoma Week, Vision Express will be bringing its Vision Van to Glasgows Enoch Square on Wednesday from 9am to 5pm.

See more here:
Warning to over 40s in Glasgow about "silent thief of sight" - Glasgow Evening Times

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