A simple test developed at London hospital leads to early diagnosis of glaucoma

A team at London's Moorfields Eye Hospital, led by professor Vis Viswanathan, has announced the development of a simple piece of software which can be downloaded to a laptop and used to diagnose glaucoma.

Current tests focus on the patient's ability to see light, but in the early stages of the disease it is the ability to perceive motion which is first affected.

The test works by displaying a central white spot and several white lines on the screen. The patient looks at the spot and clicks the mouse whenever one of the white lines move. The lines move different distances as the test progresses enabling the degree of visual impairment to be detected.

Not only is the test cheap, portable and fast to carry out but also spots glaucoma at an earlier stage and with greater accuracy than conventional tests.

With half a million glaucoma sufferers in the UK, it is estimated that if 10% of cases are spotted earlier, the test could save up to £1 billion a year.

Glaucoma involves the loss of retinal ganglion cells, which are located near the inner surface of the retina. The cells are lost in a characteristic pattern know as optic neuropathy. The retina is part of the brain and hence has no capability for regeneration.

Pressure in the eye (intraocular pressure) is a significant risk factor for developing glaucoma but can be treated very easily. Hence, the earlier glaucoma can be detected, the more of the patient's sight can be saved. Worldwide, it is the second leading cause of blindness.

Failure to detect glaucoma by a medical practitioner or optician can lead to expensive personal injury claims brought by the patient therefore early and accurate diagnosis will help not only the patient but prevent expensive legal bills incurred as a result of compensation claims.

If you think you may be suffering from the early symptoms of glaucoma, contact your GP immediately. Further help and information can be found at the following websites:

www.rnib.org.uk
The RNIB provide information on all types of sight loss including glaucoma, macular degeneration, eye injuries and cataracts.

www.glaucoma-association.com
A free service provided by the International Glaucoma Association (IGA) providing support and information for sufferers of the disease.

www.bbc.co.uk/health
Information on all kinds of medical conditions, doctor's advice and healthy living.

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