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Free eye screening during World Glaucoma Week

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World Glaucoma week – starting on Monday 6 March 2011 – is a global initiative to raise awareness of glaucoma, and to assist the local community, the Port Elizabeth Eye and Laser Institute will be offering free eye screening tests between 6 and 12 March.

“Glaucoma is an optic nerve disease, often associated with abnormally elevated eye pressure and leads to progressive and irreversible loss of vision,” said Dr Michael Schultz, an ophthalmologist at the Eye and Laser Institute. “Glaucoma is common in adults over the age of 35 years and if left untreated, it inevitably results in blindness. However, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment will prevent blindness in most cases,” said Dr Schultz.

Glaucoma damages the nerve cells in the optic nerve leading to cell death. These cells do not recover or regenerate. This disease has no warning signs and most patients are often unaware that they have glaucoma until it is far advanced and their sight is under threat.

“A routine visit to an ophthalmologist at age 40 is recommended for all adults. Screening tests are non-invasive and painless and may include visual field testing. A visit for all tests will take between 30 and 60 minutes. Once diagnosed with glaucoma, different forms of effective treatment are readily available,” said Dr Schultz.

Appointments have to be made for the free screening and candidates should be at least 40 years old and have one or more of the following risk factors: a family history of glaucoma in a first degree relative, near-sightedness and/or diabetes.

For more information, contact Dr Michael Schultz on 041 374 1163

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.