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Glaucoma: the UK Vision Strategy
14 June 2010
Anyone can develop glaucoma|, the leading cause of preventable blindness in the UK, accounting for 10 percent of those registered as blind.
Although blindness from glaucoma is uncommon, the risk of developing glaucoma increases if:
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you are over 40 years old
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a member of your family has it
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you are of African-Carribean or Asian origin.
In the early stages there are few symptoms, and more than half of cases of glaucoma are undiagnosed, so it is vital to detect glaucoma early, through routine eye tests.
The UK Vision Strategy| aim is to reduce avoidable blindness and to encourage people to have regular sight tests, even if they do not need new glasses.
Glaucoma checks are free for some groups of people, so ask your optician for details.
Treatments for glaucoma have improved and for most people it is effectively treated with eye drops.
For more information about glaucoma, contact the International Glaucoma Association|.