Brain can predict glaucoma onset
One of the most common causes of preventable blindness in Australia is glaucoma, but, as Dr Norman Swan detailed on the ABC Health Report, one of the mysteries of glaucoma is that some people don’t have raised pressure, and it may be too late before it is found.
However, he reported, scientists have found brain abnormalities can be detected in people with glaucoma before the optic nerve damage starts.
This may allow two things, identifying people who need treatment before there’s damage, and secondly, allowing researchers to research the evolution of glaucoma more accurately.
Anyone over 50 should have the pressure in their eye measured and the back of their eye looked at, and then regularly after that, as recommended by doctors or optometrists.
