Over 40s in Pembroke Dock are being urged to have their eyes checked during this year’s World Glaucoma Week (March 6-12).

In the UK, around one in 50 people over the age of 40 are known to have glaucoma, and this figure rises to about one in 10 for people over the age of 75.

In total, it is estimated that more than 500,000 people suffer from glaucoma in England and Wales alone, with more than 75 million affected across the world.

The disease is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, and the most common type of glaucoma can develop without any symptoms until it is at advanced stages. And without a regular eye examination the sufferer may find it is too late for treatment.

Therefore, Specsavers is urging the over 40s in Pembroke Dock to have regular eye examinations to detect the onset of glaucoma. The store located on Dimond Street will be lending its support by offering eyecare advice.

Glaucoma is the general term used to describe damage to the optic nerve, most commonly caused by increased pressure in the eye when the fluid within the eye, called aqueous humour, is unable to drain away properly.

Gary Owen, director at Specsavers in Pembroke Dock, said: “Many people assume that unless their eyesight is deteriorating, their eye health is fine. Specsavers is dedicated to making people aware that this is not the case for all optical conditions, as glaucoma can show no symptoms of developing until sight is irreversibly damaged.

“Regular eye examinations, at least every two years, are crucial to detect early signs of glaucoma as people can lose up to 40 per cent of their sight before they even realise they have a problem.

“Increasing age is a risk factor for glaucoma and it is also a hereditary condition. To mark World Glaucoma Week, we want to make people aware that if they are aged over 40 or have a family history of glaucoma, then they are at an increased risk of developing the disease.

“Other risk factors include short-sightedness, if people are of Afro-Caribbean descent or have other medical conditions such as diabetes, poor circulation, migraine headaches or past eye injuries. We want people to be aware of the risks, and to know that a sight test could prevent glaucoma from affecting their vision.”

For further information or to book an eye test at your nearest Specsavers store, call 0800 068 0241 or log onto www.specsavers.co.uk