Glasses Wearers Warned Of Glaucoma Risk

GLAUCOMA NEW ZEALAND

For release: 18 June 2007

Over-The-Counter Glasses Wearers Warned Of Glaucoma Risk

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Eye experts have warned of the threat of glaucoma to wearers of non-prescription reading glasses.

"There's nothing wrong in themselves with over-the-counter glasses. They can provide a sensible low-cost option for many people whose eye-sight is losing its sharpness.

"But those using them can get complacent and ignore the need for eye examinations. And that's when trouble can start," says Dr Helen Danesh-Meyer, Associate Professor at the Department of Ophthalmology, in the Medical School of the University of Auckland.

"Glaucoma is a silent disease that tends to creep up on people without them being aware of it. You might be comfortably using non-prescription reading glasses for years and not know till too late that the nerve cells at the back of your eyes are dying from high pressure.

"If, however, you have regular eye tests and glaucoma is detected early, your condition is unlikely to lead to blindness and can be highly manageable. So it's important to get checked out for glaucoma, even if you're quite happy with your non-prescription glasses," she says.

Dr Danesh-Meyer's warning comes during Glaucoma Week (16th-23rd June), a key goal of which is to publicise the message '45 and every 5'.

This message reflects Glaucoma New Zealand's recommendation that everyone have their eyes tested for the condition by the age of 45, with regular five-yearly tests thereafter. Earlier and more frequent testing is recommended for those with a family history of glaucoma or when some other risk factor is present.

Glaucoma is New Zealand's most common cause of preventable blindness, affecting 2% of the population at the age of 40, rising to around 10% for 70 year-olds.

Tauranga-based Ophthalmologist, Dr Mike O'Rourke, points out that a large percentage of over-the-counter glasses sales are to people in early middle age, who are just starting to experience deteriorating eyesight.

"This pattern has almost certainly had a negative impact on the number of glaucoma cases receiving early diagnosis, as it's also during your forties that regular checking for the condition needs to start," he says.

"A further aggravating factor is the absence in New Zealand of government funding for glaucoma checks. This is in contrast to the situation in many other OECD countries, where glaucoma testing is either partially or fully funded by government.

"We would do well to follow these countries' example, given both the incidence of glaucoma and the social and human costs involved in blindness," Dr O'Rourke adds.

Checking for glaucoma is a simple procedure that can be carried-out by your local optometrist. There are three tests required for a full glaucoma examination. These include checking the optic nerve, eye pressure and visual fields.

ENDS

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