Glaucoma is a serious eye disease that causes progressive damage to the optic nerve. What makes it particularly dangerous is that it often presents with no noticeable symptoms in its early stages. This has earned it the grim nickname, “The Silent Thief of Sight.”

For residents of Coffs Harbour over the age of 40, understanding this risk and prioritising preventative eye care is vital.

Why Glaucoma Screening Matters After 40

The risk of developing Glaucoma increases significantly as we age. Damage from Glaucoma is permanent, but if caught early, progression can usually be halted or significantly slowed with simple treatments like eye drops.

Early detection is the only defence. You cannot feel the high intraocular pressure (IOP) that often causes the damage.

How We Screen for Glaucoma in Coffs Harbour

As your trusted independent optometrist in Coffs Harbour, a comprehensive eye exam involves several painless tests to assess your risk:

1. IOP Measurement (Painless Puff Test): We measure the fluid pressure inside your eye, which is a major risk factor for Glaucoma.

2. Optic Nerve Assessment: We examine the appearance of your optic nerve for early signs of damage.

3. Visual Field Test: We may test your peripheral vision to determine if any blind spots have developed.

4. Advanced Imaging (OCT Scan): We offer Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) scanning, a highly detailed, non-invasive scan that gives us a cross-sectional view of the optic nerve fibres—often detecting damage years before it’s visible with traditional methods.

Our recommendation is simple: If you are over 40, you should have a comprehensive eye health check every two years. If you have a family history of Glaucoma, this interval may need to be shorter.

Don’t wait until you notice vision loss—by then, it’s too late. Book your thorough Glaucoma screening with us today, right here in Coffs Harbour.