Glaucoma patient, 45, urges people to get their eyes tested

Glaucoma patient, 45, urges people to get their eyes tested

Glaucoma Awareness Week (30 June – 2 July).

Rachel Parkinson wants to encourage people whatever their age to get their eyes tested by talking about her own experience during this year’s Glaucoma Awareness Week (30 June – 2 July).

The forty-five-year-old has always had regular eye tests because she is short sighted and has astigmatism. She attended her local Specsavers in Preston in 2020 and chose to have an OCT scan.

‘The optometrist examined my eyes and the images from the scan and advised that I needed a referral for an ophthalmology assessment,’ she says. ‘This was just before lockdown, so unfortunately it was about a year later when I was seen at the glaucoma clinic at my local hospital.’

Tests confirmed that Rachel has ‘normal tension glaucoma’.

‘I did not notice any symptoms,’ says Rachel, ‘but test results showed I had lost vision in my left eye as the glaucoma was already advanced. I thought older people got glaucoma but I’m young, I am a mother, and I have a job.’

Rachel received great care from her hospital eye department as she had surgical laser treatment and further operations in both eyes to improve drainage of fluid. Now she attends the glaucoma clinic twice a year for checks, continues to visit her local Specsavers for regular eye tests and receives support and information from the charity Glaucoma UK.

She adds: ‘Without regular sight tests my glaucoma would not have been picked up. My sight had deteriorated without symptoms. I would strongly encourage everyone, whatever age you are, to get your eyes tested.’

Paul Morris, Director of Professional Advancement at Specsavers, explains that in Rachel’s case a common sign of glaucoma – significantly raised pressures – was missing. ‘The OCT eye scan provided an early indication that layers of nerves in the retina were thinning in the nerve layer which caused the optometrist to make the referral alongside the other aspects of the examination.

‘Glaucoma is more common than people think. In the last 12 months Specsavers has referred more than 100,000 people for follow up glaucoma care and 30,000 were under 60 years old.

‘It is a condition that can be managed far more effectively if caught early – you wouldn’t know you had glaucoma or were at risk of it in most cases – that is why it is called the silent thief of sight,’ adds Mr Morris.

Joanne Creighton, Chief Executive of Glaucoma UK, says: ‘Glaucoma Awareness Week marks our annual campaign to raise awareness of the disease and to highlight the support available for those living with glaucoma. This year our focus is “Know Your Risk” – around 50% of people living with glaucoma cases are as yet undiagnosed.  So, we are launching an online interactive quiz to help people understand their glaucoma risk, and emphasise the importance of regular eye tests.’