Glaucoma - Complications with glaucoma
- Introduction
- Symptoms of glaucoma
- Causes of glaucoma
- Diagnosing glaucoma
- Treating glaucoma
- Complications with glaucoma
- "If I'd not gone for regular eye tests I might not be able to see now"
- 'I know of people whose eyesight got worse almost overnight'
- prevention
The main complication of glaucoma is loss of vision that can't be repaired. This is why early diagnosis and treatment is so important.
Loss of vision
In the UK, glaucoma is responsible for around one in 10 cases of visual impairment.
If you have some loss of vision due to glaucoma, more information is available on the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) website. The RNIB offers advice about:
- living with sight loss
- registering your sight loss – this may allow you to access certain benefits
Complications from treatment
If you have surgery to treat glaucoma, there is always a risk of infection. Most infections can be treated with a course of antibiotics.
You may also have a reaction to certain types of eye drops. Speak to the healthcare professionals treating you if you feel unwell while being treated for glaucoma.
Driving
If you have glaucoma, it could affect your ability to drive. It's your legal obligation to inform the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) about a medical condition that could affect your driving ability.
Visit GOV.UK to find out how to tell the DVLA about a medical condition.
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