Almost 1,000 people across Ireland are suffering from blindness caused by glaucoma.
New figures from the National Council for the Blind in Ireland (NCBI) revealed glaucoma cases have risen by 27 per cent in the past three years. Glaucoma accounts for around 8 per cent of registered blind people in Ireland.
The statistics were announced at the announcement of Glaucoma Awareness Week, a campaign and patient booklet raising awareness of the disease and including tips and advice for people at risk of, and suffering from, glaucoma.
"Glaucoma is the most preventable form of blindness in the world, and the vast majority could be easily managed if the disease was detected early enough," said Des Kenny, the CEO of NCBI. "Sadly, the number of people registering with glaucoma in Ireland is staying constant when it really should be falling.
"We would urge people to get their eyes checked regularly because glaucoma can be easily managed if it is detected early and further sight loss can be prevented."
Glaucoma is a general term used to describe damage to the optic nerve. A certain amount of pressure inside the eye is important to keep the eye's shape and size, but damage to the optic nerve in glaucoma is usually associated with excessive pressure in the eye.
People over 40 are at an increased risk from glaucoma, and if there is a history of glaucoma in the family, there is a 20 per cent chance of developing the condition. It is also three to eight times more common in Afro-Caribbean people compared to people from Europe.
The NCBI's free booklet Open Your Eyes To Glaucomacontains advice on when to take eye exams, warning signs to watch for, and an outline of the different treatment options available.