Glaucoma the Silent Thief of Sight #The Purpose of the HandHeld Tonometer

An eye for an eye will just make the world go blind

Glaucoma is an optic nerve disease where increased in intraocular pressure of the eye causes damage to the nerve resulting in gradual loss of vision and eventually blindness. It is considered the silent thief of sight because it hardly presents with symptoms until at the very late stages where vision loss has set in such that damages is extensive and irreversible except for acute angle closure which presents with halos around light, blurry vision, intraocular pain, nausea and sometimes vomiting, the optometrist may use these to diagnose the condition and start immediate treatment.

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Based on a research from the American Academy of Optometry primary angle closure glaucoma is one of the most common types affecting the majority of the World’s population. Glaucoma currently rated as the second leading cause of blindness across the globe, it known to be quite common among Africans compared to Hispanics.

The Diagnosis Process, the purpose of the handheld tonometer on the field.

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A key component to diagnosing glaucoma is the measure of the intraocular pressure of the eye. For the gold standard the IOP of the eye is supposed to be within the range of 10-20mmhg, higher measurements most often than not may be an indication of glaucoma. The appearance of the fundus as per the ophthalmoscope can not only be used since signs are seen only as later stages of the condition. On the field the handheld tonometer can quickly give the IOP measure of the eye to help the Optometrist make certain judgements that may end up saving the lives of patients. Tests such as OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) and Visual Field Tests may be perform later on for further confirmation.

Treatment and Prevention

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Treatment methods currently used include beta blocker eye drops, carbonic anhydrase, Rhea inhibitors and sometimes miotics in attempts to reduce the IOP pressure of the eye to stop the nerve damage. Note however that your optometrist knows the best treatment plan for you. Don’t discontinue use without prior acknowledgement from your Doctor. Lots of researches are ongoing about preventing Glaucoma however as it stands now nothing substantial can be inferred yet, thus, early detection and treatment is the best option.

Visit your Optometrist at least once every 6 months

What is @bettervision about?

@bettervision is is a project initiated by @nattybongo and friends to give back to the society the knowledge and skill acquired through the Optometric Studies in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.It is an outreach system where we visit the less privileged communities to offer free eye screening services and education to the people within the community

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
To reduce or prevent vision loss through diseases such as glaucoma, cataract and refractive errors.

To enlighten the majority of the Ghanaian population about the importance of proper visual care.

To conscientize people on the need for regular eye checks

To get more people to have their wards screened within the Critical periods of a Child’s Vision Development; thus from ages 3 to till about 10 years.

To help the blind and people with low vision live a better life within the society through education of the general public to stop stigmatization.

Our greatest gratitude goes to @fundition @adollaraday @surfyogi @girlsfoundation @bleepcoin @ackza and @wafrica for helping to make the aims and objectives of @bettervision a reality.

This is me @nattybongo reporting for @bettervision. Thanks for your time