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17 August 2009
Good reason for an eye check!
One in 200 people aged 40, rising to one in 8 aged 80, have glaucoma
in Australia. If untreated, glaucoma can cause blindness.
“It is estimated that 50% of people with glaucoma in Australia are
undiagnosed,” Clinical Associate Professor Ivan Goldberg, Head of Glaucoma
Unit at Sydney Eye Hospital and Vice President of the Glaucoma Australia.
New research shows that people who experience difficulty with some every day
activities, may also be developing glaucoma.
“Activities include having trouble crossing the road, regularly tripping
over objects, having difficulty judging stepping up a kerb or not
seeing objects coming from the side,” said Assoc Professor Goldberg.
“People may dismiss these early signs as age related and not get an eye check.
The Sydney Eye Hospital and Glaucoma Australia are calling for people experiencing
these difficulties and who are over 40 to make an appointment with an optometrist
or an ophthalmologist to have a glaucoma eye check.
“It is very important not to wait until you notice deterioration in your
sight to have your eyes checked. By the time people notice impairment to
their peripheral vision up to 80% of the optic nerve may have been damaged,”
Assoc Prof Goldberg said.
“The damage to the optic nerve caused by glaucoma is irreversible.
However, specialist treatment is available which can arrest deterioration,
once glaucoma has been identified,” Assoc Prof Goldberg said.
Each week the Sydney Eye Hospital treats over 220 people who have been
diagnosed with glaucoma.
Specialists at Sydney Eye Hospital, Glaucoma Unit are leaders in management
and research into glaucoma. The hospital has invested in the latest
equipment to assist diagnosis and treatment of patients. A number of the
specialist ophthalmologists undertake research to further our understanding
of glaucoma, and to improve its management.
During National Glaucoma Week, 16-22 August 2009, Glaucoma Australia will be
raising awareness of the potentially harmful and usually avoidable impact of
this group of eye diseases and highlighting the ease of available treatments.
Information and patient advice is provided by Glaucoma Australia, call (02) 9906 6640
or go on-line at www.glaucoma.org.au. Glaucoma Australia is the only Australian
organisation dedicated to providing advice to patients with glaucoma.
Media enquiries: Selina O'Connor, 9382 8226, 0421 618 793
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