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Edgbaston Eye Clinic

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Eye Conditions

Glaucoma 01217263199

Eye Conditions
  • Retinal Detachment
  • Dry Eye Syndrome
  • Wet Macular Degeneration
  • Dry Macular Degeneration
  • Blepharitis
  • Cataract
  • Glaucoma
  • Diabetic Eye Disease
  • Vein Occlusion (Eye Stroke)
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Glaucoma is the name given to a group of eye conditions in which the main nerve to the eye (the optic nerve) is damaged where it leaves the eye. This nerve carries information about what is being seen from the eye to the brain and as it becomes damaged vision is lost. This results in misty and patchy vision, with eventual loss of central vision, although this is rare.
Although any vision which has been lost to glaucoma cannot be recovered, with early diagnosis, careful monitoring and regular use of treatments, the vast majority of people retain useful sight for life. The only way to know if you have glaucoma is to have your eyes examined.
The earlier the detection the better the prognosis
Edgbaston Eye Clinic is a glaucoma specialist clinic in Birmingham. A full glaucoma examination takes about an hour. We have a full array of diagnostic ophthalmic equipment that we use to help us diagnose this blinding condition.
Glaucoma  is usually painless and does not cause symptoms until it is quite advanced. It is therefore important to have regular eye health examination which test for glaucoma at an early stage.
There are various tests that are used to detect for glaucoma
These  tests for glaucoma are painless.
  • Looking at the appearance of the main nerve in the eye, called the optic nerve (ophthalmoscopy)
  • Assessing the drainage system of the eye
  • Measuring the thickness of the external part of the eye (Central Corneal Thickness)
  • Measuring the pressure in the eye (Goldmann Applanation Tonometry)
  • Checking the field of vision (perimetry)
  • Scanning the nerve fibers inside the eye (Optical Coherence Tomography)
  • Scanning the optic nerve inside the eye
  • Stereo photo of the Optic Nerve
A full glaucoma examination is NOT a sight test and a routine sight test is not sufficient to detect glaucoma at its earliest stage.
NICE Guideline should be followed fully in terms of Glaucoma detection.

Causes of Glaucoma

The damage to the main nerve in the eye (the optic nerve) in glaucoma is usually associated with excessive pressure within the eye. A certain level of pressure is needed for the eye to keep its shape and to work properly, but if the eye pressure gets too high, it squeezes the optic nerve and kills some of the fibres, which leads to blindness. Pressure is the main risk factor for glaucoma alongside family history.

There are some forms of glaucoma where the eye pressure is not raised, but the optic nerve still becomes damaged. This is known as normal (or low) tension glaucoma.

High eye pressure does not always cause glaucoma. A common condition is ocular hypertension, where the eye pressure is above the ‘normal’ level, but there is no detectable damage to the field of vision or optic nerve. This condition may be monitored without treatment or may be treated in the same way as glaucoma.

It is very important to see an eye care practitioner that has got experienced in glaucoma detection and management as sometimes vital signs can be missed.

Risk Factors which make the onset of glaucoma more likely.

Age

Primary open angle glaucoma becomes much more common with increasing age. It is uncommon below the age of 40, but the number of people with the condition rises from about two per cent of people over the age of 40 to more than five per cent for those over the age of 80.

Blood Pressure

People with low blood pressure, in relation to the eye pressure, are at greater risk. The eye doctor may want to ensure that the blood pressure is not too low and may review blood pressure treatment, if it is being taken.

Ethnicity

People of African-Caribbean origin are at four times greater risk of developing primary open angle glaucoma, when compared with those of a European origin. The condition also tends to come on at an earlier age and be more severe. Regular testing is therefore vital if visual impairment is to be avoided. People of Asian origin are at an increased risk of developing primary angle closure glaucoma.

Family History

There is an increased risk of developing glaucoma if you have a close blood relative with the condition (father, mother, brother, sister, or child). Eye examinations are funded by the NHS for people over the age of 40, but an earlier test is recommended, especially if you also fall into one of the other risk categories. If you have glaucoma, don’t forget to tell your relatives about the condition and the need for them to be tested. More information can be found in the IGA (International Glacuoma Association) leaflet titled ‘Glaucoma and your relatives’.

Short Sightedness

People with short sight (myopia) are at increased risk of developing glaucoma, and should ensure that they are regularly tested.

Long Sight

Long sighted people are known to be at increased risk of developing angle closure.

Diabetes

People with diabetes may be at increased risk of developing glaucoma, although it is not known whether there is a direct link between the two conditions. However, all people with diabetes should have regular eye examinations for diabetic eye diseases and glaucoma examination can usually be requested at the same time.

How common is glaucoma?

Glaucoma of some type is found in about two per cent of the population over the age of 40. It can also affect children and young adults, although much less frequently.

It is estimated that more than 600,000 people suffer from glaucoma in the UK, with more than 75 million people affected across the world.

The vast majority of those with glaucoma have a chronic (slow developing) form of the condition, primary open angle glaucoma (POAG), and studies have demonstrated that half of all cases remain undiagnosed.

In other words, 300,000 people in the UK are unaware that they are slowly losing their sight.

The treatment of glaucoma has developed considerably over recent years and new, more potent drugs with fewer side effects than earlier medications are now available.

Surgical techniques have also improved and it is estimated that the vast majority of people diagnosed early with glaucoma will retain useful sight for life.

Edgbaston Eye Clinic in Birmingham work in close collaboration with one of the leading Glaucoma specialists in Mr Imran Masood.

Mr Masood is a pioneering surgeon and he was one of the first surgeons to use the revolutionary IStent.

Mr Masood continues to do high level research in Glaucoma and is very much known worldwide for his research and surgical skills.
Mr Williams is a glaucoma specialist and his interest is pre-perimetric glaucoma or early glaucoma. This is the detection of glaucoma before it starts to cause sight threatening damage.

Edgbaston Eye Clinic is now the main glaucoma specialist clinic in Birmingham.

 

 

Edgbaston Eye Clinic

Edgbaston Eye Clinic

38 Harborne Rd, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 3EB

Registered Specialities: Supplementary Prescribing, Additional Supply Speciality & Independent Prescribing Speciality

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