Health Notes, August 3rd 2008, by Sarah Stacey

GLAUCOMA ALERT
Photographer Jenny Cundy, 60, is on a mission: ‘I tell everyone I meet over 40 to get their eyes tested because I nearly lost my sight through undiagnosed glaucoma.’  Like many people in their fifties, Jenny‘s eyesight deterioriated gradually.  ‘There was nothing dramatic so I just bought reading specs over the counter.  The lowest dioptre [strength], was fine at first for reading in bed, then I went on to stronger ones.’ Just over two years ago, alarm bells rang when Jenny was shopping with her mother:  ‘we were looking at labels and I suddenly realised that my mother – aged 88 – could just about read them without glasses whereas it was impossible for me.’

Jenny consulted an eye specialist in France, where she has a second home.  ‘I was shocked when the doctor told me I had glaucoma. She explained that my field of vision was narrowing, due to pressure on the optic nerve caused by a build-up of fluid.   Basically, the eye keeps its shape by staying at a constant pressure.  This is dependent on equalising the rate of fluid in and out of the eye.  [The fluid supplies the eyes with nutrients – oxygen and glucose.]  If the drainage system isn’t working efficiently, the fluid can’t get out, the pressure mounts,  and presses on the optic nerves which stops them working – then you start to lose vision.’ 

If left untreated, glaucoma can eventually lead to blindness.  Jenny was prescribed eye drops to loosen the tissues around the drainage system and help the fluid escape through different routes.  Back in the UK, Jenny’s GP referred her to consultant ophthalmologist Professor Andrew McNaught at Cheltenham General Hospital.  ‘He confirmed the glaucoma was still there in both eyes.  It was quite bad in my left eye, where I had greater sight loss in consequence.  Stronger drops didn’t improve the pressure in that eye so he suggested surgery, which took just half a day in hospital and worked beautifully – the sight loss has stabilised and the pressure is very good.’  Jenny still had to put drops in her right eye and this proved a problem: ‘around christmas 2007, my eyes became red and itchy: they were intolerant to the drops.  So I had surgery on my right eye too.‘ 

Jenny now wears glasses for reading and driving but her vision is stable. Many others may not achieve such a satisfactory outcome.  Around one per cent or more suffer glaucoma and some 250,000 may go undiagnosed because of the lack of symptoms:  ‘it’s not uncommon to find patients who have quite extensive loss of vision without noticing,’  says Professor McNaught.

Detected early, glaucoma is simple to treat with drops; later on, patients may – like Jenny -  need surgery, which always carries risks.  So Professor McNaught urges everyone over 40 to follow Jenny’s warning to have an eye test: ‘if you have a family history of glaucoma, or come from an Afro-Caribbean background, you should have a test every year, others every two years. A qualified optician has a legal requirement to look for eye diseases, especially glaucoma; they should measure the pressure and the field of vision, and examine the back of the eye.’  Eye tests cost from £20 at high street opticians, but many people are entitled to free ones. 

Finally Professor McNaught has a request to manufacturers of OTC reading glasses:  ‘please put a notice on the racks reminding people to have sight tests – it could prevent them going blind.’

For information, International Glaucoma Association, www.glaucoma-association.com

TROUBLE-FREE AROMATHERAPY
Gill Sinclair, managing director of Victoria Health, loves aromatherapy body oils but has so far been allergic to the essential oils they contain.   The new Massage & Body Oil from Aromatherapy Associates Enrich range  has changed all that.  ‘Hallelujah!’ she says.  ‘they smell divine and do exactly what they promise.  I have gorgeous glowing skin and I’ve not come out in blotches.’   Aromatherapy Associates Enrich Massage & Bath Oil features geranium, tuberose, ylang ylang and vanilla essential oils in a highly moisturising base of  evening primrose, macadamia nut, coconut and olive oils.  And I love it too.  Enrich Massage & Body Oil by Aromatherapy Associates, £26 for 100ml, also Body Butter, Body Scrub and Body Serum.  Just click here.

THE GOOD GOAT GUIDE
Some people who are intolerant to cows’ milk products are fine with goats’ milk, but the sharp tang can be offputting.  I’ve been taste-testing the St Helens Farm range of milk, butter and yogurts, which are mild and creamily delicious - the Woodland Honey yogurt is blissful.  From major supermarkets: St Helens Farm helpline, tel: 01430 861715, www.sthelensfarm.co.uk

THE HEALTH BOOKSHELF
Bipolar disorder – The Ultimate Guide, by Sarah Owen and Amanda Saunders (pub One World)  One in 50 of us will suffer from bipolar disorder, aka manic depression, at some point.   My father, who swung from deep depression to being so confident he bought four yachts,  was diagnosed when I was in my late teens.  For anyone involved with the illness this book is invaluable. To order a copy for £11.99, from Amazon, just click here.