Glaucoma cases up 27% in three years
Release Date: Jun 11th, 2007
Annual registers not falling despite glaucoma being largely preventable
Cases of glaucoma have risen by 27% since 2001, according to figures from the register of NCBI (National Council for the Blind in Ireland). Mr. Des Kenny, the CEO of NCBI explains his concerns.
“Glaucoma is the most preventable form of blindness in the world and the vast majority could be easily managed if the disease was detected early enough. Sadly, the number of people registering with glaucoma in Ireland is staying constant when it really should be falling. We would urge people to get their eyes checked regularly because glaucoma can be easily managed if it is detected early and further sight loss can be prevented,” he said.
The figures were announced in conjunction with Glaucoma Awareness Week and a campaign to raise awareness of glaucoma, which was launched today. To support the campaign, a patient booklet entitled ‘Open your eyes to glaucoma’ has been developed by Pfizer Ophthalmics, supported by NCBI, to offer tips and advice for people at risk of and suffering from glaucoma. According to NCBI, glaucoma accounts for around 8% of registered blind people in Ireland and glaucoma referrals have remained constant (85 – 90 annually1) over the past few years.
“We cannot cure glaucoma, but we can successfully halt its progression if an early diagnosis is made. The key is to catch the problem early, as 40% of the optic nerve can be damaged before any vision loss is noticed1,” said Professor Colm O’Brien, Consultant Ophthalmologist in the Mater Hospital. “As the most preventable cause of blindness in the world today, everybody aged between 40 and 64 years old should have an eye exam every two to four years. After age 65, it should be every two years.”
Glaucoma is a general term used to describe damage to the optic nerve. A certain amount of pressure inside the eye is important to keep the eye’s shape and size. Damage to the optic nerve in glaucoma is usually associated with excessive pressure in the eye. People over 40 are at an increased risk from glaucoma and if there is a history of glaucoma in the family, there is a 20% chance of developing the condition. Glaucoma is also three to eight times more common in Afro-Caribbean people compared to people from Europe2.
“We now have nearly a thousand people (973) registered with glaucoma. In 2004 the figure was 763. We try to help people maintain as much independence as possible through the work we do at NCBI, so tools like the ‘Open your eyes to glaucoma’ booklet are essential in helping us achieve this goal,” Des Kenny said. “If people have any doubt in their mind about the quality of their vision, we would urge them to have an eye exam or get in contact with NCBI. What we are trying to do is reduce the number of people going blind from something which is preventable.”
‘Open your eyes to glaucoma’ contains advice on when to take eye exams, warning signs to watch for, and an outline of the different treatment options that people with glaucoma may receive. Free copies of ‘Open your eyes to glaucoma’ are available by emailing glaucoma@ncbi.ie. Copies are also available from the NCBI on 1850 33 43 53.
References:
1. National Council for the Blind of Ireland – 1850 33 43 53
2. ‘Open your eyes to glaucoma’ booklet. Pfizer Ophthalmics. 2007.
Find out more about Glaucoma Awareness Week.