Dr. Colin Clement and Professor Ivan Goldberg
Research in Australia proves 50% of Glaucoma patients remain undiagnosed ( 1. Mitchell P, Smith W, Attebo K, Healey PR. Prevalence of Open-angle Glaucoma in Australia: The Blue Mountains Eye Study. Ophthalmology 1996: 103; 1661–1669.)
%
a. The condition being screened is an important health problem;
b. An effective treatment for the condition is available;
c. There are facilities and personnel available for diagnosis and treatment;
d. The screening test is appropriate, cost effective and accurate;
e. The natural history of the condition is well known.
a. Perform regular eye health checks for Caucasians over the age of 50, and for African-descended people over the age of 40;
b. Perform regular eye health checks for all first-degree relatives of glaucoma patients, commencing 5–10 years earlier than the age of onset of glaucoma in their affected relative;
c. Remind all glaucoma patients to alert first-degree relatives of the benefits of early and regular eye checks;
d. Survey for glaucoma particularly in patients greater than 50 years old, any myopia, abnormal blood pressure, a history of migraine, diabetes, peripheral vasospasm, eye injury and ongoing steroid use;
e. Monitor for glaucoma particularly in patients greater than 70-years old, with IOP >21 mmHg, large and/or asymmetric cup-to-disc ratio (accounting for disc size), disc haemorrhage, and thin central corneal thickness.
How Often Should a Glaucoma Patient Be Checked?
- The same patient;
- Tested 3 times a year,
- Progressing at the same rate;
- May be detected in two years if the variability between tests is low.
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OCT’s & What they are so Important in Glaucoma Detection & Monitoring
Treatment Options: