Public are invited to attend a talk on Glaucoma

The public are invited to attend a Medicine for Members meeting at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital about glaucoma, one of the most common eye disorders. The public will be able to get information on this potentially serious eye condition, the importance of medication and the correct way to administer eye drops.

The meeting will be taking place from 6pm to 8pm on Monday 15th October 2012 in the Gooch Lecture Theatre at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital.

Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve, located at the back of the eye and working like a connection cable between the eye and the brain. Progressive damage to the nerve prevents the visual signal from being processed in the brain. The loss of vision caused by glaucoma is permanent, but with early treatment, the damage to vision can be minimised. For most glaucoma patients, the main effect of the condition is the inconvenience of taking eye drops.

Heidi Cate, Research Unit Manager at the NNUH said “Regular eye checks with your high street optician are the best way to detect glaucoma. Once you are diagnosed, it is important to use the prescribed eye drops regularly and we can advise on the best way to administer the drops.”

“At NNUH we are carrying out important research into glaucoma in partnership with the University of East Anglia which will benefit patients in the future. We are hoping to understand how we can better support those glaucoma patients who find it difficult to use their drops regularly as clinicians understand that this is no easy task!”

To book a place, telephone the Membership Office on 01603 287634 or e-mail membership@nnuh.nhs.uk