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Glaucoma Factsheet

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Glaucoma is an eye condition where the optic nerve at the back of the eye is slowly destroyed,

causing loss of vision. In the majority of patients, this damage is caused by increased pressure

inside the eye, a result of blockage in the eye’s drainage system.

The damage to the eye progresses slowly and damages vision gradually, beginning with the side

vision. As one eye covers for the other, a person with glaucoma is often unaware of any problem

until a large part of vision has been destroyed. This is why regular eye checks by an eye care

professional are important. While treatment cannot recover the vision that has been lost, it can

prevent or at least slow down further vision loss.

Glaucoma occurs more commonly among older people, but can occur at any age.

Symptoms of glaucoma

Glaucoma often has no symptoms, but common signs can include severe pain and vision loss,

blurred vision, seeing coloured rings around lights, and nausea and vomiting.

Who is at risk?

Those most at risk of glaucoma include people with diabetes, a family history of eye conditions,

an injury to the eye, or people who have used steroids regularly over a long period of time.

What can be done?

Treatment includes medication, surgery and laser work. Regular eye examinations are also

important to help avoid getting glaucoma, particularly for those over the age of 35, or in the highrisk

category.

How can Just Better Care help?

Just Better Care may be able to assist a person with glaucoma in a number of practical short term

or long term ways. Assistance with everyday household tasks that may be more difficult for a

person with glaucoma. These can include:

Driving a person to and from appointments, outings or to see family.
Labelling of items to assist someone that is visually impaired
Assistance with shopping and preparing meals
Assistance with domestic duties at home such as light cleaning, laundry or preparing meals
Working with an individuals strengths to include them in the service decision making process to ensure they are involved with the support and achieve their goals

Sources

Glaucoma Australia