Glaucoma
It is an eye disease that causes progressive damage to the optic nerve, which is caused by increased intraocular pressure, thus causing damage to the optic nerve fibers that carry visual information to the brain. Damage to these fibers and therefore to the optic nerve causes vision loss. This increase in intraocular pressure is gradual and silent causing blindness which is irreversible is glaucoma?
Glaucoma produces no warning or obvious symptoms for the patient of the disease, the gradual progression produces visual impairment and can lead to blindness. Once incurred, visual damage is irreversible, and this has led to glaucoma which is described as the “silent blinding disease” or the “silent thief of sight”. Because it robs you of your vision and the patient does not realize he is losing vision until it is too late.
Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness in the world. It is estimated that 4.5 million people worldwide are blind due to glaucoma and that this number will rise to 11.2 million by 2020. It is noteworthy that, due to the silent progression of the disease – at least in its early stages – up to 50% of affected people in developed countries are not even aware that they have glaucoma. This number can be as high as 80% in underdeveloped regions of the world.
There are several types of glaucoma. Some may occur as a complication of other visual disorders (so-called “secondary” glaucomas, but the vast majority is “primary”, i.e., occurring without a known cause. It was once believed that the cause of most or all glaucomas was high pressure inside the eye (known as intraocular pressure). It has now been established, however, that even people without abnormally high intraocular pressure production can suffer from glaucoma. Intraocular pressure is therefore considered today as a “risk factor” for glaucoma.
People at higher risk of developing it are the following:
- Over 40 years old
- Older Hispanics
- Of African descent
- People with relatives with a history of glaucoma (it is inherited )
- Myopic
- Diabetics
- People who use steroids on a prolonged basis
Some forms of glaucoma can occur at birth (“congenital”) or during infancy and childhood (“minor”); in most cases, however, glaucoma appears after the fourth decade of life, and its frequency increases with age. There is no clearly established difference in the incidence of glaucoma between men and women.
The most common types of adult glaucoma are primary open-angle glaucoma and angle-closure glaucoma. Angle-closure glaucoma is often acute and usually presents as a very painful eye condition leading to rapid vision loss.
There is no cure for glaucoma so far, and vision loss is irreversible. However medication or surgery (traditional or laser) can stop and preserve the vision you have at this time. Therefore, early detection is essential for limiting visual impairment and preventing progression to severe visual impairment or blindness. The most important thing is to be seen by an ophthalmologist, since this is the only professional qualified to determine in time if you have glaucoma or not; which is the best treatment for the type of glaucoma and thus avoid blindness.
If you have glaucoma, if you comply with your treatment as prescribed by your doctor, you do not have to go blind.
Recommendations for prevention
- Continue promoting education to the population.
- Early detection of glaucoma to prevent visual impairment.
- Annual visit to the Ophthalmologist.
- Preserve the quality of visual functioning and thus a better quality of life.
- We need prevalence statistics, incidence in our country, population-based data, on rates and risks of vision loss.
- Educate ophthalmology professionals AND general practitioners about glaucoma.
- Public awareness and recognition of the increase ofglaucoma in the population.
- Use information/communication technology as a key tool in achieving objectives.
- The importance of having an annual check-up with an ophthalmologist, who is the only professional qualified to suspect and determine whether you have glaucoma or not.
- Ophthalmologists recommend glaucoma screening as part of routine eye examinations in children, adolescents and adults. This examination should be annual.
- Last advice please let yourself be seen at least once a year. Because the most important thing is to detect glaucoma early.
Vision loss caused by glaucoma is irreversible, but if detected early and treated carefully and consistently, vision can be preserved. Glaucoma is usually controlled with medication or surgery.
Dr. Ysabel Yohany Olivares Ramírez
Micro Surgeon – Ophthalmologist
