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Free Glaucoma Screening

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World Glaucoma week, a a global initiative to raise awareness of glaucoma, takes place from 11 to 17 March 2012

Glaucoma is an optic nerve disease, often associated with abnormally elevated eye pressure and leads to progressive and irreversible loss of vision and is common in adults over the age of 35 years. If left untreated it inevitably results in blindness. However, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment will prevent blindness in most cases.

Glaucoma damages the nerve cells in the optic nerve leading to cell death. These cells do not recover or regenerate. The key to prevention of inevitable loss of vision is early diagnosis and treatment.

Glaucoma is all the more dangerous as it does not present any early warning symptoms, making people 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 test 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.

For free screening during world glaucoma week, 11 to 17 March 2012, any of the eye specialists at the Port Elizabeth Eye and Laser Institute may be contacted for an appointment.

Candidates should be at least 40 years old and have one or more of the following risk factors:

  • Family history of glaucoma in a first degree relative
  • Black race
  • Very near sighted (-5,00 or more)
  • Diabetes
Glaucoma Test
Glaucoma Test
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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.

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