Glaucoma Essentials: Are you at Risk of Glaucoma?

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world.

COVID-19 has disrupted the lives and routines of Australians like never before. These disruptions have carried through to the healthcare system where delays and cancellations have meant that many patients have not kept their scheduled appointments for eye assessments and exams. Other patients, out of fear of catching the disease, have neglected routine checkups.

It is important that, particularly for people in the high-risk group of getting glaucoma, that people keep seeing their eye care professional who can help manage their symptoms.

Glaucoma Australia has created a free, anonymous quiz to help you find out if you are at risk of glaucoma.

Protecting yourself: epidemic eyecare essentials

1. Get Your Eyes Checked

‘Perfect vision’ does not mean ‘perfect health.’ Only a comprehensive eye exam can determine signs of optic nerve damage. Remember that up to 50 per cent of those with early-stage glaucoma are unaware they have it.

If you are over 40, book a comprehensive eye exam. Although anyone can develop glaucoma, the risk increases with age.

If you have family members with glaucoma, you have an increased risk of glaucoma.

2. Managing your Glaucoma

If you have been prescribed glaucoma eye drops, do all you can to maintain your eye drop regimen.

Collect your prescriptions and use the eye drops as prescribed. Disruptions to care can lead to vision loss and permanent, irreversible blindness.

Remember to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water before using your glaucoma eye drops.

Quit smoking and maintain a healthy diet with regular exercise. Good advice for the best of times, but increasingly important as we resume our ‘pre-COVID routines.’

3. Have Confidence in Eyecare Plus

Don’t put off an important eye exam. Eyecare Plus is doing all we can to balance our commitment to patient eye care with our commitment to patient safety.

Patient appointments times are staggered to prevent over-crowding or long queues in the waiting rooms.

All Eyecare Plus optometrists, dispensers and staff wear appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including gloves, masks and eye protection.

All Eyecare Plus locations undergo enhanced cleaning and disinfection procedures.

All patients are required to wear a mask to your appointment. If you don’t have a mask, we will provide one for you. Please be sure to keep your mask on throughout your visit, even if you are alone in the exam room.

We care about your overall health.

Contact your local Eyecare Plus optometrist to book an appointment.