Posted: Oct 16 2023
Glaucoma is a condition that affects the optic nerve of the eye. When damage to the nerve occurs, it blocks visual information from being transmitted to your brain resulting in permanent vision loss.
If left untreated, damage to the nerve and vision loss increase until only central vision is left or in some cases, complete blindness.
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Normal vision
Vision with glaucoma
Normal vision
Vision with glaucoma
The symptoms
With no real obvious symptoms it’s unsurprising that an estimated 50% of glaucoma cases in Australia remains undiagnosed.
However, some of the symptoms can include:
- Blurred vision
- Seeing coloured rings around lights
- Poor night vision
- Loss of peripheral vision
- Pain and redness of the eye/s.
Because you may not experience any symptoms when glaucoma is in its earliest stages, it’s important to have regular eye tests. Any changes to your vision, no matter how small, shouldn’t be ignored.
Am I at risk?
The exact causes are unknown, but the chances of developing this condition increases with age. If you’re over 40 or have a family history of glaucoma, you’re most at risk and we recommend you visit your Health Partners optometrist regularly to have your eyes checked.
How do you treat glaucoma?
Treatment generally consists of prescription eye drops that can help prevent the condition’s progression and reduce further vision loss.
In some cases, laser treatment surgery may be required.
What we look for in your eye test
Using the latest in optical technology we carry out a series of simple, painless tests that help us detect glaucoma before any possible symptoms occur. At Health Partners we’re able to capture a highly detailed image of your optic nerve through Optical Coherence Tomography (3D imaging technology). This allows your optometrist to measure the delicate structures of your eye and monitor any changes, no matter how small, over time.
Please note that at present, there’s no Medicare rebate available for Optical Coherence Tomography. However, our members do receive a discount on this cost.
If you’re worried about your eye health book an eye test today. Early detection is vital in treating any eye condition.
Posted: Oct 16 2023
Disclaimer
The information contained here is of a general nature and does not take into account your personal medical situation. The information is not a substitute for independent professional medical advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease or used for therapeutic purposes. Should you require specific medical information, please seek advice from your healthcare practitioner. Health Partners does not accept any liability for any injury, loss or damage incurred by use of or reliance on the information provided.
While we have prepared the information carefully, we can’t guarantee that it is accurate, complete or up-to-date. And while we may mention goods or services provided by others, we aren’t specifically endorsing them and can’t accept responsibility for them.
© Copyright Health Partners. 2023 All Rights Reserved.
Health Partners is committed to providing quality and affordable health care, and we value our members and our obligation to protect your privacy. As part of our responsibility in protecting your privacy, from time to time we review our policies to ensure we are meeting our obligations. We have recently made some updates to our Privacy Policy. Please click here to view the Health Partners Privacy Policy.
© Copyright Health Partners. 2023 All Rights Reserved.
Health Partners is committed to providing quality and affordable health care, and we value our members and our obligation to protect your privacy. As part of our responsibility in protecting your privacy, from time to time we review our policies to ensure we are meeting our obligations. We have recently made some updates to our Privacy Policy. Please click here to view the Health Partners Privacy Policy.