Staffordshire Community Glaucoma Centre

We are indeed very privileged and proud top be appointed the first Community Glaucoma Screening and Therapy Centre in Staffordshire, and indeed the Midlands. Decision has been made to allow patients suspected, referred or under constant observation of glaucoma, ocular Hypertension, or related glaucoma disorders to be screened at 1A Silver Street, Tamworth. The project will be spearheaded by lead consultant surgeon Mr Abdul Rauf and Mr Chaaban Zeidan- Postgraduate Consultant Optometrist together with another optometrist, 3 technicians and 2 administrators.    The project will initially serve those patients from Tamworth, extend to other regions with a capacity of approximate 7000. The project will ensure that only those who require specialist transfer to hospital service will be re-directed. This project is intended to ensure speedy screening and swift therapy to those who need it as well as saving on NHS resources.

Glaucoma
Is a disease in which the optic nerve is damaged, leading to progressive, irreversible loss of vision? It is often, but not always, associated with increased pressure of the fluid in the eye.
The nerve damage involves loss of retinal ganglion cells in a characteristic pattern. There are many different sub-types of glaucoma but they can all be considered a type of optic neuropathy. Raised intraocular pressure is a significant risk factor for developing glaucoma (above 22 mmHg)
One person may develop nerve damage at a relatively low pressure, while another person may have high eye pressure for years and yet never develop damage. Untreated glaucoma leads to permanent damage of the optic nerve and resultant visual field loss, which can progress to blindness.

 

Glaucoma can be divided roughly into two main categories, "open angle" and "closed angle" glaucoma. Closed angle glaucoma can appear suddenly and is often painful; visual loss can progress quickly but the discomfort often leads patients to seek medical attention before permanent damage occurs. Open angle, chronic glaucoma tends to progress at a slower rate and the patient may not notice that they have lost vision until the disease has progressed significantly. Glaucoma has been nicknamed the "sneak robber of sight" because the loss of vision normally occurs gradually over a long period of time and is often only recognized when the disease is quite advanced. Once lost, this damaged visual field cannot be recovered. Worldwide, it is the second leading cause of blindness. It is also the first leading cause of blindness among African Americans. Glaucoma affects 1 in 200 people aged fifty and younger, and 1 in 10 over the age of eighty. If the condition is detected early enough it is possible to arrest the development or slow the progression with medical and surgical means.

 

www.glaucoma-association.com/
www.NHS.uk
www.nhs.uk/conditions/glaucoma