Just like your body grows and changes as you get older, so does your vision, especially when you hit your 40s!
You might notice it’s harder to see things up close, like reading your favorite book, sewing, or checking out cat videos on your phone. This is called presbyopia, and it’s why older people often need glasses to see things clearly up close.
Although presbyopia can’t be cured, there are many options available to compensate
for the decline in near focusing ability. That’s why it’s probably a smart idea to pay a visit to your ophthalmologist.
It doesn’t just end there, there are many eye diseases too that can sneak up on you, trying to mess up with your vision, as you get older, like Glaucoma or Macular Degeneration.
That is why early detection, intervention and the right lifestyle changes can make a real difference for your eye health in later life.
What is Glaucoma?
Did you know that half of the Australians with glaucoma don’t even know they have it? That is why we can call it the ‘silent’ villain of your vision.
Picture your eye as a camera with a very important wire called the “optic nerve” that helps you see the world. The optic nerve is like a big cable that carries messages from your eyes to your brain.
Without the optic nerve, your brain wouldn’t get the information it needs to make sense of the world around you and give you a healthy vision.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damages this optic nerve. The damage is often caused by increased pressure inside the eye, which can hurt the optic nerve, making it harder to see things clearly.
Glaucoma is called the “Sneak Thief of Sight” because there are typically no early
warning signs, symptoms or pain. It gradually steals vision without you even noticing. By the time you realize something’s wrong,as much as 40% of your vision could already be gone.
There are various types of glaucoma. If left untreated, it can lead to vision loss and even blindness. In fact, it is known to be the leading cause of irreversible blindness.
While there’s no cure for glaucoma, there are treatments that can slow it down and help protect your vision from getting worse.
That’s why it’s super important to get your eyes checked regularly, even if you feel fine. Catching it early is the key to keeping your vision safe and healthy.
Regular eye check-ups are your best friends. If glaucoma is detected during an eye exam, your Eyes&Vision optometrists can refer you to a specialist who can prescribe a preventative treatment to help protect your vision.
Risk Factors for Glaucoma:
Glaucoma doesn’t play favorites. Everyone is at risk when it comes to it. However, there are certain factors which can make you the prime target.
Its important for individuals in these groups to undergo comprehensive eye exams every one to two years, depending on their age.
The following are groups at higher risk for developing glaucoma.
Age:
Just like how you outgrow your shoes and need a new pair, your vision changes over time and needs a little extra care and attention.
If you’re over 40, your chances of developing Glaucoma are significantly high. Once you hit 60, the risk shockingly goes even higher by at least 6 times.
Ancestry and Family History:
If you thought family history doesn’t matter, think again. Glaucoma is risky and on top of everything, it has a thing for ethnicities and family histories.
The risk of developing glaucoma varies among different ethnic groups due to various genetic factors, eye anatomy, and environmental impacts.
Individuals from African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American or Aboriginal Canadian descent are at increased risk.
If you have immediate family members with glaucoma, your odds of getting it aren’t just doubled, they’re quadrupled, or maybe even nine times higher than everyone else.
Don’t panic just yet, now that you have this information, you’re already one step ahead. Get those eye checkups today and save yourself from the doubts.
Previous Eye Injury, Traumas or Surgery:
Did you know that eye injuries, traumas or surgeries have been known to sometimes cause secondary glaucoma? It might happen right after an injury or even years down the road, talk about unpleasant surprises!
Traumatic eye injuries, particularly those from sports like baseball or boxing, can lead to secondary open-angle glaucoma. That’s why it is suggested to wear eye protection and make sure to dodge these surprises with the right comprehensive diagnosis.
Underlying health conditions:
If you have health conditions like myopia, heart diseases, hypertension and diabetes, keep an eye on them, or if left unchecked, they can increase your risk of developing glaucoma.
Other possible risk factors include certain medications and steroids.
Eye Pressure And Glaucoma: Busting The Myths
It was once thought that eye pressure (IOP) was the main test for glaucoma, but now we know glaucoma can occur even with normal or low pressure. High eye pressure is a risk factor but not a definitive sign.
Glaucoma harms the important nerve cells in your eyes. Our new technology measures these cells to catch glaucoma early and keep your vision healthy.
Your eyes should be tested:
- Before age 40: Every 2 years
- Age 40+ with a family history of glaucoma: Every 12 months
- Ages 40-59: Every 2 years
- Age 60+: Every 12 months
- Any age with glaucoma: At least every 12 months
Get the Best Glaucoma Examination With Eyes&Vision
At Eyes and Vision, we believe when it comes to your vision, you deserve nothing less than the healthiest pair of eyes to see the world to its fullest and brightest. With us, you’re in caring and capable hands, with a professional team looking to protect your vision.
With many years of experience combined with our clinical expertise and with the help of the latest diagnostic technology, we’re here to provide a thorough and super detailed eye examination tailored just for you.
You can feel secure knowing that our state-of-the-art tools, such as the Humphrey Visual Field Analyser and Zeiss Cirrus HD Optical Coherence Tomography, provide the most precise, timely and accurate detection.
We’re not just about providing you the best care, we’re about treating you like family. We don’t just focus on your eyes, we consider your overall well-being, family history, and specific eye condition. This helps us spot any potential risks early and create a personalized plan that’s all about keeping your vision healthy.
Regular check-ups are great, but we’re all about taking things to the next level when it comes to eye care. We can’t rest well until we’re fully assured you’re getting the best eye care.
That’s why while most places do three basic tests, we go the extra mile with TEN. Yes! we’re talking about comprehensive diagnosis to catch any signs of glaucoma early.
Repeating the observations and tests regularly allows us to track your progression and predict any future changes.
If we detect any signs of glaucoma, you’ll get a quick referral to a specialist to explore treatment options right away. And if you’re already being treated for glaucoma, our advanced testing helps us monitor how well your treatment is working, ensuring you receive the best possible care.
Has it been a while since your last comprehensive eye test? We’re here to help you stay ahead of any vision troubles. Don’t let glaucoma steal your sight, give us a call to schedule an eye exam today!
