Preventing the 'silent thief of sight'

World Glaucoma Week (7-13 March) shines the light on this eye disease, which currently has no comprehensive cure, while encouraging people to get their eyes tested by a qualified local optometrist.

Bupa Optometrist Karen Makin said early detection is critical to minimising the effects of the disease on your eyesight.

“For many people with undiagnosed Glaucoma, the changes to their sight happen very slowly and by the time they look to do something about it, irreversible damage has already been done,” Karen said.

“Getting your eyes tested regularly is the most effective way to identify and prevent the impacts of Glaucoma as well as other eye diseases.”

Selected Bupa Optical & Hearing stores have the ability to look even deeper into your eye, following the rollout of NIDEK Optical Coherence Tomography Retina Scan Duo machines in a number of Bupa Optical stores. These machines perform a ‘3D MRI of your eye’ which scans the layers of your eye to detect any early signs of Glaucoma or other retinal diseases.

“There are a series of tests an optometrist does, as part of a standard eye test, to check for Glaucoma. These include examining the optic nerve and retina to pick up any early signs of the disease and measuring eye pressure. If there are any suspicious results, then your optometrist will discuss the options available which may include referral to an eye specialist.

“While the disease can affect anyone, men and women over 50 years of age are at the greatest risk^[1] and should visit an optometrist every 2 years for an eye test^[3]. It’s fast, painless and could save your eyesight,” Karen said.

See here for more information on Glaucoma.

To book an eye test at your local Bupa Optical store, visit here.

^[1] https://glaucoma.org.au/what-is-glaucoma/risk-factors-for-glaucoma

^[2] https://glaucoma.org.au/what-is-glaucoma/testing-for-glaucoma

^[3] Or as advised by your doctor or optometrist.

Media reference number: 20/118