Diagram illustrates progressive optic damage with corresponding visual field loss. Decrease in Visual Acuity (sharpness of image) only occurs in advanced stage. (picture to the right)
*image obtained from google images |
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A clear, watery fluid (produced by the Ciliary cody) that fills the area between the Lens and the Cornea. It supplies nutrients that nourishes the Cornea and Lens and maintains the convex shape of the Cornea along with refracting light onto the pupil.
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Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases with progressive optic nerve damage causing gradual and irreversible visual loss/blindness.
- It is also called the ‘silent thief of sight’.
- It is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. Approximately 60-70 million people around the world are living with glaucoma. The number is expected to reach 80 million and Glaucoma Blindness is expected to rise to 11.2 million by year 2020.
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Understanding Glaucoma
A normal eye produces fluid/aqueous humor to bring in Oxigen (O2) and nutrients to nourish the structure inside the eye. Then the waste fluid is drained out of the eye through the angle of the eye (the drainage canals are at the peripheral where the iris and cornea meet).
Glaucoma develops when the eye’s drainage canals become blocked. The pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure/IOP) increases subsequent to the blockage. Increased eye pressure inside the eye damages the optic nerve directly by mechanical force and indirectly by impairing its blood supply.
Signs and Symptoms of Glaucoma
Most people have no symptoms and no early warning signs. Loss of retina nerve fibres initially causes constriction of the visual field while the sharpness of image is still maintained. Patients usually are not aware of visual field loss because it happens slowly. Blurring of vision only occurs when more than 80%-90% of nerve fibres have gone. The absence of signs or symptoms is why patients often come to eye doctors late.
Unfortunately at this very late stage, with damage already done, preserving the remaining vision is all that can be done. Whatever is lost is lost! The loss of vision cannot be reversed or cured with current medical treatment.
Therefore, early detection is very important to prevent blindness. People with risk factors should get early eye examinations by eye doctors. Early treatment will help to halt or slow the progression of the disease. Glaucoma blindness can be prevented indeed!
Who are at risk of glaucoma?
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High IOP
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Family history of glaucoma
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Age more than 40 years
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Refractive error: Hyperopia and myopia
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Eye injury eg. sport injury-‘shuttle cork’/badminton, squash ball or football, assault-being punched on the eye, motor vehicle accidents
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Ocular disease eg. Pseudoexfoliation syndrome, Pigment dispersion syndrome, Retinitis pigmentosa
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Medical diseases with blood vessel occlusion eg. Diabetes, Hypertension
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Medications - steroid
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Media
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Sime Darby Medical Centre in Park City, which is operated by Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care, organised a Free Eye Examination programme earlier today to raise public awareness on glaucoma.
Glaucoma is an eye disease that is often associated with elevated intra-ocular pressure, in which damage to the eye or optic nerve can lead to loss of vision and even blindness.
12/03/2019 - Listen to BFM podcast |
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Sime Darby Medical Centre in Park City, which is operated by Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care, organised a Free Eye Examination programme earlier today to raise public awareness on glaucoma.
Glaucoma is an eye disease that is often associated with elevated intra-ocular pressure, in which damage to the eye or optic nerve can lead to loss of vision and even blindness.
Dr Lee's On Air Interview:
Melody FM 21/09/2017
(click for details) |
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FREE EYE EXAMINATION TO RAISE PUBLIC AWARENESS ABOUT GLAUCOMA
FULL VIDEO: http://bit.ly/2GCcbkI
[Watch BNC on Astro 502, unifi tv 631, MYTV 121 & LIVE Streaming webtv.bernama.com]
Sime Darby Medical Centre in Park City, which is operated by Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care, organised a Free Eye Examination programme earlier today to raise public awareness on glaucoma.
Glaucoma is an eye disease that is often associated with elevated intra-ocular pressure, in which damage to the eye or optic nerve can lead to loss of vision and even blindness.
Sime Darby Medical Centre in Park City, which is operated by Ramsay Sime Darby Health Care, organised a Free Eye Examination programme earlier today to raise public awareness on glaucoma.
Glaucoma is an eye disease that is often associated with elevated intra-ocular pressure, in which damage to the eye or optic nerve can lead to loss of vision and even blindness.
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