Do you know your pressure?!

Carla Ayres Musa

We’re not talking about your blood pressure. We’re talking about the level of pressure in your eyes! This is a symptom of Glaucoma, which is the 2^nd leading cause of blindness in Belize, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The number of diagnosed cases is rising, and while you may have heard about this “sneak thief of sight,” do you really know what it is?

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steals sight without warning and often without symptoms. It is characterized by damage to the optic nerve at the back of the eye, and is often associated with an increase in the eye’s internal pressure. If left untreated, the nerve damage will start to destroy your peripheral or ‘outside’ vision. Gradually, the area you can see will become smaller and smaller leading to ‘tunnel vision’ and eventually, blindness.

The risk of developing Glaucoma increases from the age of 18 and is more prevalent in certain groups: people of Afro-Caribbean decent (Creole and Garifuna), diabetics and those with a family history of the disease. But don’t be fooled, it can affect anybody.

Since severe damage to the optic nerve may occur before you notice anything is wrong, it is important that everyone 18 years and older has a regular eye exam. This is fast and painless: the doctor will check your vision, look into your eyes and measure the pressure of your eyes.

The good news about this devious eye disease is that, in most cases, Glaucoma can be controlled with medication; or with simple laser surgery in more stubborn cases. However, once nerve damage has occurred and vision has been lost, it cannot be restored. Therefore, the aim of the treatment is to prevent any further vision loss. If treatment is started early enough blindness can be prevented, leaving the patient free to enjoy a full and happy life.

If you would like to have your eyes tested for Glaucoma, or would like to know more about the disease, call the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired (BCVI) at 203.5206. Don’t Lose Sight of Your Vision!

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