Glaucoma

Glaucoma results from a build up of pressure inside the eye that is caused when the fluid that nourishes the iris cannot drain away. This pressure can damage the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, and causes vision to narrow or blank areas to appear. Glaucoma can happen at any age, however, it is usually related to ageing (Better Health Channel 2007).

Glaucoma can present itself in two different ways:

• chronic or open-angle glaucoma—develops slowly over time and a person with chronic glaucoma might not even realise they have a problem until their eyesight becomes affected
• closed-angle glaucoma—vision loss is sudden and painful.

Symptoms and characteristics

• severe pain and vision loss
• blurred vision, or seeing coloured rings around lights
• nausea and vomiting.

Damage to the optic nerve as a result of pressure can cause two different vision problems:

• the edge of the field of vision can fade, causing vision to narrow
• blank areas can develop closer to the centre of vision.

Onset of glaucoma can be slow or sudden and resulting vision loss may be permanent (Better Health Channel 2007).

Statistics

Over 300 000 Australians have glaucoma. While it is more common as people age, it can occur at any age (Glaucoma Australia Inc 2007).

Workplace adjustments and solutions

There are solutions and adjustments for the following job requirements:

• ability to see (or see clearly)
• interacting with others
• moving around the workplace
• writing by hand—ability to see or see clearly

References

Better Health Channel 2007, Glaucoma explained, State Government of Victoria, Melbourne, viewed 2 March 2007, <http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Glaucoma_explained?open>.

Glaucoma Australia Inc 2007, What is Glaucoma?, Glaucoma Australia Inc, Sydney, viewed 2 March 2007, <http://www.glaucoma.org.au/whatis.htm>.

MDA Internet 2005, Reed Group Ltd, Colorado, viewed 2 March 2007, <http://www.mdainternet.com (secure site)>.

Vision Australia 2007, Blindness and low vision services, Vision Australia, Sydney, viewed 2 March 2007, <www.visionaustralia.org.au>.