Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. It is a group of diseases that causes a progressive lesion of the optic nerve. The importance lies in the fact that this lesion is irreversible and can lead to blindness.
With the aim of raising awareness of this disease and helping to prevent it, the World Glaucoma Society and the World Glaucoma Patient Society celebrate World Glaucoma Day every March 12. Dr. Núñez Pérez, a member of the DYTO Ophthalmology Clinic and Top Doctors, states that it is known as “the disease of silent blindness”, since for a long initial period it gives no symptoms. Because of this, half of glaucoma patients are undiagnosed.
Types of glaucoma and risk factors
There are several types of glaucoma. The most common is primary open-angle glaucoma, which has a genetic or hereditary basis. On the other hand, glaucoma is sometimes associated with other eye diseases, known as secondary glaucoma. There is also congenital glaucoma, which appears at birth, and infantile glaucoma, which occurs during the first three years of life.
The main risk factor for this disease is high intraocular pressure (IOP). However, other factors also play a role:
- Age. From 70 years of age on, the risk of glaucoma is higher.
- Family history of the disease
- High myopia. Having 6 diopters or more.
- Being black
- Thin cornea
- Having suffered an ocular trauma or having undergone some type of ocular surgery.
How to prevent a case of glaucoma
The lesion caused in the optic nerve is irreversible, so the sooner this disease is diagnosed, the sooner treatment will be initiated. When a patient presents symptoms it means that the disease is very advanced and the risk of blindness is very high.
Regular annual check-ups are necessary in order to prevent it. From the age of 40 onwards they are even more important, especially if a first-degree relative suffers from glaucoma.
The later the diagnosis is made, the greater the consequences for the patient. If the optic nerve lesion is significant, vision begins to be lost in the upper or lower part of the field of vision. This causes the patient to have problems driving safely. It also increases the risk of falls and injuries, especially in low light conditions. The loss of vision is concentric and, if the disease continues to progress, leaves an island of central vision in a shotgun tube.
The initial treatment of glaucoma consists of applying one or more eye drops throughout the day. Continuing the treatment is very important to stop the progression of the optic nerve lesion. If this is not sufficient, laser treatment is performed to reinforce. In cases where intraocular pressure cannot be lowered, eye surgery should be performed.
If the treatment is complied with, the risk of suffering blindness in both eyes is very low. The people at greatest risk are those who, at the time of diagnosis, already had significant vision loss.