𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗮 𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗮 𝗰𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗚𝗹𝗮𝘂𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗮?

Glaucoma is a condition where there is progressive damage to the nerve fibre layer in your retina (the back of your eye) resulting initially in loss of peripheral vision and reduced vision at night. If undetected or treated this will eventually lead to a very reduced area of vision - tunnel vision

Glaucoma is more common when you have relatives with glaucoma.

If you have a close relative with glaucoma (Mother, Father, Brother or Sister) you have a 4x increased risk of glaucoma when you are over 40yrs old.

If you have two close relatives there is a 10x increased risk.

This doesn't mean you will get glaucoma, but be aware of the risks.

Other risk factors are:

Age: People over 40 years old are more at risk

Myopia: "Short-sightedness" increases the risk of myopia

Medication: Certain medicines, notably steroids, in some people can increase the risk of glaucoma.

Heritage: People with Black, Asian or Hispanic heritage have an increased risk of glaucoma.

Medical Conditions: Certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, migraines, high blood pressure and sickle cell anaemia can increase the risk of glaucoma.

There is a close relationship with Intra Ocular Pressure (the pressure inside the eye) and Glaucoma

Which it’s why it is regularly checked with what is called a tonometer

This can be with an “air puff”

Or maybe with a "Contact Tonometer" after having drops put in your eyes.

For screening we normally use an ICare tonometer which gives more accurate repeatable measurements than an "air puff" without using drops and it doesn't make you jump.

In future there maybe a way of monitoring your pressure continuously without visits to the optician of hospital

A successful  recent study showed the pressure could be measures by wearing a soft contact lens with a built in sensor.

Those in the study had not worn contact lenses before.

One the major benefits of continuous monitoring is peaks and troughs in the pressure will be detected, which is very difficult to detect with conventional methods.

Leading to better control of pressures.

More trials and medical device approval will be needed however before this is launched.ervice.