Last updated on August 29th, 2017 at 10:24 am

NHS England estimates that in England and Wales more than 500,000 people have glaucoma but many more people may not know they have the condition.

What is glaucoma?

It’s a build-up of pressure within the eye. This pressure is caused by the fluid within the eye not being able to drain away.

The build-up of pressure is called intra-ocular pressure and if untreated it can cause damage to the optic nerve and nerve fibres of the eye and a gradual loss of sight. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness.

Types of glaucoma

There are 4 types of glaucoma:

• chronic open-angle glaucoma – most common but slow to develop
• primary angle-closure glaucoma – rare but can be acute or chronic
• secondary glaucoma – brought on by eye injury or other eye condition
• developmental glaucoma (congenital glaucoma) – rare and effects young children

Glaucoma symptoms

In many cases there are few symptoms to warn of the damage being done – there is no pain and vision usually remains normal, but once the damage has been done it is irreversible, and lost vision cannot be regained.

There is no cure for glaucoma.

Therefore if you have of one or more of the following warning signs, you should arrange an eye test:

• unusual trouble adjusting to dark rooms
• difficulty focusing on near or distant objects
• squinting or blinking due to unusual sensitivity to light or glare
• change in color of iris
• red-rimmed, encrusted or swollen lids
• recurrent pain in or around eyes
• double vision
• dark spot at the center of viewing
• lines and edges appear distorted or wavy
• excess tearing or “watery eyes”
• dry eyes with itching or burning; and
• seeing spots or ghost-like images

If you develop any of the following symptoms you should seek urgent medical help:

• sudden loss of vision in one eye
• sudden hazy or blurred vision
• flashes of light or black spots
• halos or rainbows around light

Glaucoma tests

The National Eye Institute explains that (quote):

• Glaucoma is detected through a comprehensive dilated eye exam that includes the following:
• Visual acuity test.  This eye chart test measures how well you see at various distances.
• Visual field test. This test measures your peripheral (side vision). It helps your eye care professional tell if you have lost peripheral vision, a sign of glaucoma.
• Dilated eye exam. In this exam, drops are placed in your eyes to widen, or dilate, the pupils. Your eye care professional uses a special magnifying lens to examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of damage and other eye problems. After the exam, your close-up vision may remain blurred for several hours.
• Tonometry. Is the measurement of pressure inside the eye by using an instrument called a tonometer. Numbing drops may be applied to your eye for this test. A tonometer measures pressure inside the eye to detect glaucoma.
• Pachymetry. Is the measurement of the thickness of your cornea. Your eye care professional applies a numbing drop to your eye and uses an ultrasonic wave instrument to measure the thickness of your cornea.

Prevention and treatment

This is a complex and incurable disease, but with early diagnosis it is possible to retain a useful vision for the rest of your life and attending regular optician appointments will assist with an early diagnosis and treatment.

If you are over 40 years old and your mother, father, sister or brother has been diagnosed with glaucoma then you are entitled to a free NHS eye test.

Different types of glaucoma need slightly different treatments, however, most treatment options include:

• eye drops to control the eye pressure
• laser therapy to help fluid pass more easily from the eye’s drainage system which will lower the eye pressure
• traditional surgery – trabeculectomy – again to drain excess eye fluid and reduce pressure

How can Graysons help?

If you believe that you have suffered increased glaucomatous damage and loss of vision following a delay in diagnosing or treating glaucoma then you may be able to claim compensation.

If you would like to talk to a member of our specialist team then please contact us for a confidential and free discussion today.

Visit the Glaucoma Association website.