80 year-old Leslie Philp from Loanhead had his regular eye check up last year at Vision Express in Glasgow when it was decided he should be referred to the Eye Pavilion in Edinburgh.
The cause related to a build up of pressure behind his eyes signalling to Nalini Kayani the optometrist that glaucoma was a possibility.
Otherwise fit and healthy, Leslie had not had any of the symptoms usually associated with the disease such as blurred vision or pain.
He said : “I was rather surprised when I was told that I had to be referred to hospital, as my eyes seemed fine to me – they weren’t uncomfortable, I had no impairment and my range of vision remained the same. However, my mother had glaucoma and as the condition can be hereditary I knew that further testing was the right thing to do.”
The consultant at The Princess Alexandra Eye Pavilion diagnosed Leslie with primary open angle glaucoma, the most common type of glaucoma that develops slowly over many years. Glaucoma is typically caused by a blockage in the part of the eye that allows fluid to drain from it and it is this blockage that can lead to a build-up of fluid and pressure in the eye which can damage the optic nerve and ultimately impact sight.
Prescribed glaucoma drops, Leslie aministers them to his right eye every evening to reduce thepressure. If used regularly as prescribed, these drops will help maintain the pressure level and reduce his risk of vision loss.
Nalini said: “We’re very happy that Leslie’s glaucoma is able to be treated simply and effectively with drops. Unfortunately, many people don’t realise that glaucoma is one of the biggest causes of preventable sight loss, yet 31% of people are unaware that glaucoma runs in families – and 72% of those in at risk groups don’t realise they are at an increased risk
“Early detection and treatment for glaucoma can save sight. Over 90% of individuals who are diagnosed early will retain useful sight for life – just like Leslie.”
As part of World Glaucoma Week, Vision Express will be taking its Vision Van to Scotland – visiting Edinburgh’s Festival Square on Thursday 16 March 2017. The high-tech mobile testing unit will be open from 9am-5pm on each day and local passers-by will be invited for a free eye test.
For those unable to visit the Vision Van during the tour, a downloadable free eye test voucher will be available on the Vision Express website from 8 -26 March, which can be redeemed instore until the 30th April 2017.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
