With the UK’s ageing population leading to a significant increase in the prevalence of eye conditions such as glaucoma, it is imperative that people understand the signs and risk factors to help diagnose and treat them, according to Nick Rumney of Hereford-based BBR Optometry.
His warning comes as eye and health specialists urge people to have regular eye examinations to spot any signs that could detect such conditions early.
“Up to 250 people start to lose their sight in the UK every day. That figure will increase as between now and 2035 the population of over 75-year-olds will increase by over 80 per cent,” he said.
“It’s important that not only older people, but children and adults of all ages have regular eye examinations to spot not only eye conditions but other health issues that can be spotted using the technology we have at our St Owen Street Practice. It is also important that the examination is comprehensive enough and includes appropriate tests and if necessary dilation of the pupils.”
Over the next 20 years, cases of glaucoma are expected to increase by 44 per cent, according to The Royal College of Ophthalmologists.
National Glaucoma Week in March this year raised awareness of the need for regular eye examinations and since BBR Optometry supported and raised awareness of the week its glaucoma certified optometrists have dealt with questions and undertaken increasing numbers of eye examinations as a result of the publicity campaign.
One of the world’s leading eye specialists, Gokulan Gokulan has written an article through the not-for-profit McIndoe Centre, a not for profit charity that offers cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, answering questions and addressing some misconceptions around glaucoma. It’s worth a read and can be found here:
BBR Optometry’s eye specialist team have the latest technology to hand when it comes to eye examinations and spotting the symptoms associated with your eyes.
The practice became the first in the UK to have a revolutionary eye imaging device that can detect a wide range of retinal disorders and diseases.
The Optos California retinal imaging device allows an immediate 200-degree view of a patient’s eye in a single scan, providing a high-resolution image in less than half a second. In addition, our innovative 3D OCT scanning instrument, the Topcon Triton, has upgraded software making glaucoma detection and decision making much easier and more robust
This means the practice’s optometrists can uncover more clinical information that can lead to the detection, management and effective treatment of disorders and diseases such as glaucoma but also retinal detachments and tears, diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration.
It can also indicate evidence of general health conditions such as hypertension and diabetes.
“Glaucoma is just one disease we need to be aware of amongst a myriad of others. It is only through a regular eye examination that such conditions can be spotted and treated and so we’d urge people to ensure they head to their optometrist for an extended examination as in the long terms it could make a difference,” added Mr Rumney.