Nothing initially, not even pain. You may often bump into things, or fall over objects on the ground, because you are losing the outer edges of your vision
Gradual clouding of the vision until the vision has almost gone. No pain. Usually in both eyes
Who is at risk?
Glaucoma or ‘black blindness’
Cataract or ‘white blindness’
People who are 40 years of age or older People with a relative who has glaucoma – a parent, sister or brother, or older child People who wear spectacles to see distant objects, who have had an eye injury before, or who use steroid eye drops.
People who are 40 years of age or older People with a previous eye injury People with diabetes People who use steroid eye drops or tablets
Can other family members be affected?
Glaucoma or ‘black blindness’
Cataract or ‘white blindness’
Yes! Glaucoma can run in the family
Cataract does not run in the family, but other older family members may also develop cataract
How urgently do I need to get help?
Glaucoma or ‘black blindness’
Cataract or ‘white blindness’
Very urgently!
As soon as possible
What happens if I wait a long time before being treated?
Glaucoma or ‘black blindness’
Cataract or ‘white blindness’
You may lose your sight, and you will be unable to get it back
It is very likely that you will regain vision
What treatment options do I have?
Glaucoma or ‘black blindness’
Cataract or ‘white blindness’
Vision can be preserved by lowering eye pressure with eye drops, an operation, laser treatment, or a combination of these options
Vision can be restored with a cataract operation and an artificial lens implant
What long-term treatment may I need?
Glaucoma or ‘black blindness’
Cataract or ‘white blindness’
Continued use of eye drops or monitoring after the operation or laser treatment at an eye clinic
Usually none. You may need to wear spectacles after the operation
What are the costs?
Glaucoma or ‘black blindness’
Cataract or ‘white blindness’
Medical treatment: the lifetime cost of eye drops. An operation or laser treatment: the cost of an operation and possibly some medication afterwards
One-time cost of the cataract operation
What are the risks of treatment?
Glaucoma or ‘black blindness’
Cataract or ‘white blindness’
Very few side effects of eye drops. Surgery can have complications, but these can be managed at the eye clinic
Highly successful operation with very few or no complications
What will happen if I stick to my treatment and/or say yes to an operation?
Glaucoma or ‘black blindness’
Cataract or ‘white blindness’
Your vision will be preserved – you will still be able to see as you did before. It will take a lot longer before you go blind, if you go blind at all.
Your vision will be better than before
What happens if I do not accept treatment?
Glaucoma or ‘black blindness’
Cataract or ‘white blindness’
Your vision will gradually worsen and eventually you will become completely blind. This vision is lost forever and can never come back!
Your vision will gradually worsen until you become completely blind. But, at any time, accepting a cataract operation will restore your sight
Will traditional medicine help me?
Glaucoma or ‘black blindness’
Cataract or ‘white blindness’
No. Delay in obtaining the correct treatment means you are likely to lose even more vision
No. Traditional treatment, known as ‘couching’ (pushing a needle into the eye), can have very serious complications and is not recommended. Eye medication from traditional healers cannot restore sight
What can I do?
Glaucoma or ‘black blindness’
Cataract or ‘white blindness’
Report to the nearest eye clinic urgently to be examined. If you think a relative may have glaucoma advise them to do the same
Report to the nearest eye clinic to be examined. If you know someone who may have cataracts advise them to do the same
