World Sight Day aims to help people protect their eyes against Glaucoma - 'the silent condition'.
Today is World Sight Day. One of its aims is to educate people about how they can protect themselves against Glaucoma, the leading cause of preventable blindness in the UK. One in five people visit an optician only when a problem is obvious. Glaucoma, however, often goes unnoticed until its advanced stages. Its effects can be minimised with treatment, but any loss of vision it may have already caused can never be recovered.
Less than half of Britain's adults have had their eyes tested in the last five to ten years2. That's in stark contrast to the 50% who visit their dentist as many as three times a year2, and the 25% who see their GP as often2, according to a new survey by Pfizer Ltd. More than 500,000 people suffer from glaucoma in England and Wales alone, but nearly one fifth of glaucoma sufferers did not have regular eye tests before they were diagnosed with the condition2.
Most cases of Glaucoma occur because pressure builds up inside the eye4, caused by internal fluid failing to drain away properly. And while most people know glaucoma is an eye condition, 30% are unaware of its symptoms2.
Potentially, the disease can affect anyone at any age, but people over 40 are at greater risk. Glaucoma is also more common in people of African-Caribbean origin, short sighted people, those with a close relative diagnosed with glaucoma and people with diabetes5. Many people don't realise that they may be eligible for free eye tests, but with regular check-up, glaucoma can be detected and treated early so that people suffer no loss or no further loss of vision.
World Sight Day celebrates the fact that our eyes are the windows to our health.
"In all the developed world only half of those with glaucoma are diagnosed and receiving therapy. This need not be the case - everyone has access to eye health professionals. Let's make this country the first to prevent unnecessary blindness and disability from glaucoma" Mr Ian Murdoch, Consultant Ophthalmologist, Moorfields Eye Hospital. TV personality Gloria Hunniford has lent her support to the Windows to Health campaign which aims to raise awareness of glaucoma and having regular eye tests says; "It is estimated that 95% of what we learn about the world around us comes through vision and hearing, which makes blindness and particularly preventable blindness a devastating human condition. Having had eye problems myself in the past and with an aunt who actually suffers from glaucoma, I am keen to urge all people to book themselves an eye test for their peace of mind."