REGULAR EYE TESTS KEY TO MANAGEMENT
One common cause of sight loss in older people is glaucoma. In England and Wales, over half a million people have glaucoma but many more may be suffering without realising it. Sometimes referred to as ‘the silent thief of sight’, glaucoma cannot be cured but it can be arrested if caught early. By having regular eye tests, an optomestrist can spot the early signs and prescribe treatment to help manage the condition.
Glaucoma is caused by a build-up of pressure within the eye. The eye produces a fluid called aqueous humor (AH). Glaucoma develops when any excess fluid cannot drain properly, and this can damage the optic nerve (which connects the eye to the brain) and the nerve fibres from the retina (the light-sensitive nerve tissue that lines the back of the eye). There are various types of glaucoma, the two main types being:
Chronic Glaucoma
This is the most common form. It is often hereditary – if one of your parents has suffered with glaucoma prioritise regular eye tests. It is more common in people from African origin, those with a high degree of short-sightedness, or anyone suffering from diabetes. Early diagnosis is essential. It can be tricky to identify as it can be painless and eyesight remains normal. However, optometrists are on the lookout for the signs when they test your field of vision as this is where sight is initially lost. This gradually spreads inwards leaving you with sight that is like looking through a long tube – known as tunnel vision. Eventually even this vision will be lost. Chronic glaucoma can be treated with eye drops to help excess liquid drain away. In severe cases, laser treatment or an operation can be used to improve drainage further.
Acute Glaucoma
Acute glaucoma is less common. It is characterised by a sudden painful attack on the eye or a series of milder, uncomfortable attacks. It happens when there is a sudden and complete blockage to the flow of aqueous fluid from your eye. Vision may deteriorate rapidly and the person suffering may feel nauseous or be vomiting. He or she should go to A&E immediately. Milder cases cause discomfort in the eye and have misty vision with coloured rings appearing around white lights. If diagnosed early acute glaucoma can be treated, the eye will become more comfortable and there may be a complete recovery of vision. Laser treatment is usually recommended to prevent further attacks. This involves an operation to make a small, painless hole in the outer border of the iris, relieving the obstruction and allowing liquid to drain away.
How Could a Live-In Carer Help a Glaucoma Sufferer?
Glaucoma can be particularly stressful for the person affected, but with the right help, this can be minimised and a live-in carer could be the ideal solution. Ways a live-in carer can help include:
• keeping the house tidy and organised so that there are no tripping hazards
• helping to navigate around the house and while out and about
• finding things and running errands
• reading to a client
• preparing meals and keeping on top of domestic chores
• reminding and prompting medication
• accompanying on optician/hospital appointments.
Keeping up to date with yearly eye tests and recognising the early signs are key to managing the potential onset of glaucoma. Did you know, you are entitled to a free NHS eye test if you are over 40 and have a first-degree relative (mother, father, sister or brother) with glaucoma? You are also entitled to a free NHS eye test if you are over 60 or if you have been diagnosed with diabetes. For more details about free eye tests, visit the NHS Choices page.
If you’d like more information about the difference a live-in carer could make for someone coping with glaucoma, call the Otus Live-in Care team on 01403 710119 for a ‘no obligation’ chat.