The College of Optometrists

A new RNIB report 'Don't blame the patient' launched on 16 January 2007 states that more than 200,000 people in the UK have needlessly lost their sight to glaucoma - a condition with no symptoms in the early stages that requires patients to take eye drops for the rest of their lives to avoid losing their sight.

The report gives three main reasons why people continue to lose their sight from this treatable condition:

• problems with following prescribed treatment regimes.
• stopping treatment altogether
• failure to detect glaucoma early, especially in African/African Caribbean communities who are at a much higher risk of developing glaucoma.

RNIB's message to people with glaucoma is simply 'don't stop the drops!' and for everyone else it is to have regular eye tests. It is also important for everyone working in glaucoma care to make sure their patients are fully aware of the importance of sticking to their treatments.

  RNIB report 16 January 2007