Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive, degenerative disorder of the optic nerve that produces characteristic visual field damage. Glaucoma is the second cause of blindness, and importantly: it is irreversible.

It is estimated that around 80 million people have glaucoma worldwide. Approximately 50% of the individuals with glaucoma are unaware that they have the disease, and this number may be even higher in underdeveloped countries. This is because in its early stages, glaucoma is asymptomatic. If untreated, glaucoma may progress to blindness.

However it’s not all bad news – periodic testing allows early diagnosis to prevent visual disabilit,  this is why we are increasing our diagnostic capabilities acriss HCF Eyecare. Our Brookvale center is the most recent center to have received an OCT to help in the detection of glaucoma [1]

[1] Bussel II, Wollstein G, Schuman JSOCT for glaucoma diagnosis, screening and detection of glaucoma progression British Journal of Ophthalmology 2014;98:ii15-ii19.