Glaucoma in a minute: 60 seconds today could save your sight in the future

Elizabeth Ball

Health Information Manager, Glaucoma UK

Dedicating one minute of your time to learning about glaucoma could potentially save your sight in the future.

For National Eye Health Week 2023, Glaucoma UK is encouraging people to dedicate one minute of their time to learning about glaucoma, which could save their sight in the future.

Save your sight from glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of common eye diseases that slowly damage the nerve that takes information from your eye to your brain. Left untreated, glaucoma causes gradual sight loss. With early detection and treatment, most people with glaucoma keep good sight for life.

Some people are at higher risk

Anyone can develop glaucoma, but it gets more likely as you get older. You’re at higher risk if you have a close family member with glaucoma or you’re from an African-Caribbean or East Asian ethnic background.

Treatments for glaucoma slow down
future sight loss, but any sight loss
you already have is permanent.

Silent thief of sight

Most glaucoma develops slowly, without symptoms early on, making it hard to notice sight being lost. Routine eye tests at your local high street optician check for signs of glaucoma, and they’re the only way to detect glaucoma early.

Slow down sight loss

Treatments for glaucoma slow down future sight loss, but any sight loss you already have is permanent. The most common treatments are laser treatment or eye drops. Early diagnosis and treatment help make sure you have good sight for life.

How to protect your sight

Glaucoma cannot be cured, but you can protect your sight. Go for routine eye tests at your local high street optician at least once every two years — unless you’re advised differently by a medical professional — so that if you have glaucoma, you can start treatment early. If you have any concerns about your sight, make an appointment at your local high street optician or contact the eye clinic.