IGA encourages public to seek glaucoma tests

The public are to be encouraged to ask for all three glaucoma tests prior to having their eye examination. Optical charity the International Glaucoma Association will use its publicity week next month to urge people to ask optometrists to carry out ophthalmoscopy, perimetry and tonometry tests. 'All three tests increase the likelihood of detection by up to four times compared with ophthalmoscopy - the one mandatory test - alone,' an IGA spokesman said. The charity has printed 20,000 free patient leaflets for its promotional week which runs from June 12-18 which encourages the public to regularly attend eye examinations and ask for the three glaucoma tests. The leaflets not only details what glaucoma is for the patient, but is candid on what the public should receive from a sight test. 'If your optometrist is not willing or able to perform all three [glaucoma] tests, then find an optometrist who will,' it reads. The IGA's Frog Week (For relief of glaucoma) will also feature a novel approach to its publicity, telling the public 'Never, never ever have another sight test...go for an eye health check' instead. The charity hopes that this approach will highlight that eye examinations can detect high blood pressure, cerebral tumours and diabetes, as well as glaucoma.