More than two years on from the start of the pandemic, hospital eye care services are still facing an almighty backlog as well as a growing demand for care.
With long waiting lists, many eye care professionals are concerned about a potential ‘glaucoma ticking time bomb’ resulting in avoidable sight loss for many people.
Routine eye tests are the best way to spot problems early. Treatment is effective and regular monitoring will identify patients at risk of sight loss. But with routine eye testing restricted during the pandemic and the backlog eye care services are struggling with (as well as new demands), there’s been an unmistakable impact on patients’ vision in Ireland.
We partnered with Fighting Blindness to highlight the scale of the challenge we now face with glaucoma, the importance of regular eye tests, and community providers and the entire eye care sector can work together to improve clinical outcomes and save sight.
Dr Pixie McKenna on why healthy eyes makes for happier lives
We know that we can visit our optician for a prescription for glasses or contact lenses. Did you know that a wide range of other eye conditions and vision problems can be picked up by eye routine tests? Some sight-threatening conditions, like glaucoma, can present with no symptoms, so only half of those affected are even aware that they have the condition.1 That’s why it is vital that everyone gets their eyes tested regularly.
Our eyes are a window on our wider health and wellbeing. Early symptoms of diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, rheumatoid arthritis, some kinds of cancer and dementia can be detected during an eye test.2,3 The latest research is exploring how an eye examination can predict our risk of having a heart attack.4
Research also shows that problems with our vision are associated with loneliness, social isolation, anxiety, fear, depression and thoughts of suicide.5
So that’s why it’s so important to make regular visits to your optometrist who can help make sure that your eyes, and even health, stay in tip-top condition.
Glaucoma at a glance
- Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, yet many people don’t know they have it.6 As many as half of all cases are undiagnosed.7
- Glaucoma accounts for more than 20% of outpatient appointments in hospital eye care.8
- If glaucoma is in the family, close relatives can be up to ten times more likely to develop it.9
- The demand for glaucoma services is expected to rise by 33% in the coming decade.10
Bella Rose’s story
Dean Delaney noticed that his daughter, Bella Rose, aged 12, was experiencing persistent and severe headaches. He booked an appointment at his local optician where optometrist Daibheid McHugh gave Bella Rose a thorough eye examination with an OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scan to show the retina’s distinctive layers and the optic nerve, which carries signals between the eye and the brain.
Daibheid identified swelling on the optic nerves – a sign of papilloedema – usually caused by an increase in pressure around the brain. He made an urgent referral to hospital, where Bella Rose was seen immediately and diagnosed with a brain tumour. After surgery to remove the tumour Bella Rose is on her way to a full recovery.
‘Bella Rose’s case was severe and complex. Had she not come into the practice for an eye test, things may have proved even more serious for her. She truly is a brave girl.’
If you’re experiencing any problems with your eyes or vision, you can book an appointment at your nearest store.
Just click on the button below, add your postcode, and we’ll find the closest store to you. If you have any serious concerns about your eye health, you’ll find the phone number of your local store there too – give them a call directly to explain the situation.
Paul’s story
Paul Carey, aged 66, hadn’t been experiencing any symptoms and had no obvious risk factors or family history of glaucoma. He visited his local optician as he wanted to arrange a repair of his broken glasses.
While there he took the opportunity to have an eye test as it had been more than two years since his last one. His optometrist carried out a thorough eye examination and noted Paul’s field of vision was severely restricted.
The high level of the pressure behind Paul’s eyes was also a cause for concern and glaucoma was suspected. He was advised to go to the hospital eye department immediately. The diagnosis was confirmed, and Paul has begun treatment.
He explains, ‘I had no idea what was happening behind my eyes. A routine test has given me a chance to swiftly access medical care. I highly recommend regular eye tests for everyone. My optometrist told me glaucoma is a silent thief of sight, and I could not agree more.’
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All about glaucoma
Everything you need to know about the types, symptoms, causes and treatment.
References
1. Soh, Z. et al. (2021). The Global Extent of Undetected Glaucoma in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ophthalmology,128(10), 1393–1404. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.04.009
2. Schaneman, J. et al. (2010). The role of comprehensive eye exams in the early detection of diabetes and other chronic diseases in an employed population. Population health management,13(4), 195–199. https://doi.org/10.1089/ pop.2009.0050
3. Chiquita, S. et al. (2019). The Retina as a Window or Mirror of the Brain Changes Detected in Alzheimer’s Disease: Critical Aspects to Unravel. Molecular neurobiology, 56(8), 5416–5435. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12035...
4. Villaplana Velasco A. (2022). Abstract C22.6: Decreased retinal vascular complexity is an early biomarker of myocardial infarction supported by a shared genetic control. Abstract presented at the Annual conference of the European Society of Human Genetics, in Vienna, Austria.
5. Lundeen, E. A. et al. (2022). Self-Reported Vision Impairment and Psychological Distress in U.S. Adults. Ophthalmic epidemiology,29(2), 171–181. https://doi.org/10.1080/092865... 18177
6. National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). (2020). Glaucoma patients most at risk of sight loss. https://evidence.nihr.ac.uk/ alert/glaucoma-patients-most-at-risk-of-sightloss-were-identified-in-a-new-study/
7. Soh, Z. et al. (2021). The Global Extent of Undetected Glaucoma in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Ophthalmology,128(10), 1393–1404. https://doi. org/10.1016/j.ophtha.2021.04.009
8. Irish College of Ophthalmologists. (2022). ICO News Summer. Delivering Integrated Care in Ireland Symposium https://www.eyedoctors.ie/medi... NEWS_31_Sp22_web.pdf
9. Okeke C. (2016). Familial Glaucoma Risk: Spreading the Word. Review of Ophthalmology. July
10. Irish College of Ophthalmologists. (2021). Early Detection Key in Prevention of GlaucomaRelated Sight Loss. March. https://www.eyedoctors.ie/pres... March-7-2021/Early-Detection-Key-inPrevention-of-Glaucoma-Related-Sight-Loss/92. html