More than 5 milion people worldwide are blind from glaucoma, and many more sufer from glaucoma visual impairment. World Glaucoma Week is celebrated from March 8 to 14
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world.
It is estimated that more than 5 million people worldwide are blind from glaucoma, and many more suffer from glaucoma visual impairment. Therefore, for the sixth consecutive year, World Glaucoma Week is celebrated from March 8 to 14. Attaching such importance to this disease indicates its pernicious appearance, as well as the importance of its early detection and appropriate treatment.
Glaucoma is a "silent killer of sight “.
It gives no signs, disturbances or pain as it progresses in the eye until it is discovered accidentally on examination or leads to such a degree of visual impairment when the patient shows up seeking medical attention. The disease gradually impairs peripheral vision and therefore cannot be spontaneously observed until such a narrowing of the field of vision occurs when disturbances and incidents begin. Then it seems that objects or persons suddenly enter our field of view without us noticing them before (sudden spotting of pedestrians in front of you while driving, difficult road crossing, colliding with people in passing, hitting objects around us, weaker moving at night etc.). The feeling of pressure in the eyes and fatigue in the eyes especially after working on a computer are not a sign of glaucoma, but they are a good reason to visit an ophthalmologist.
Glaucoma is a chronic progressive disease.
It usually occurs above the age of 40, in a relatively small percentage, the incidence increases as the age does. Glaucoma cannot disappear, it can only heal and maintain medicines (eye drops). Once established, visual impairment can no longer be repaired. The main characteristics of glaucoma are increased eye pressure and decreased visual field as a result of damage to the optic nerve.
How to diagnose glaucoma?
A complete ophthalmic examination can only confirm or exclude glaucoma with good quality. Measurement of eye pressure alone is not sufficient, especially by non-contact measurement (beam) because it is not accurate enough, but can serve as a so-called "screening". In case of elevated ocular pressure, a complete examination should be performed with insight into the optic nerve and its quality and measurement of ocular pressure by other methods. If necessary, it is supplemented by examinations of the visual field and the so-called OCT (laser scan of the optic nerve and its threads). When only eye pressure values are borderline or slightly elevated, they are usually just needed periodic controls.
Are there various types of glaucoma and what are the risk factors for its occurrence?
It is estimated that more than 5 million people worldwide are blind from glaucoma, and many more suffer from glaucoma visual impairment. Therefore, for the sixth consecutive year, World Glaucoma Week is celebrated from March 8 to 14. Attaching such importance to this disease indicates its pernicious appearance, as well as the importance of its early detection and appropriate treatment.
Glaucoma is a "silent killer of sight “.
It gives no signs, disturbances or pain as it progresses in the eye until it is discovered accidentally on examination or leads to such a degree of visual impairment when the patient shows up seeking medical attention. The disease gradually impairs peripheral vision and therefore cannot be spontaneously observed until such a narrowing of the field of vision occurs when disturbances and incidents begin. Then it seems that objects or persons suddenly enter our field of view without us noticing them before (sudden spotting of pedestrians in front of you while driving, difficult road crossing, colliding with people in passing, hitting objects around us, weaker moving at night etc.). The feeling of pressure in the eyes and fatigue in the eyes especially after working on a computer are not a sign of glaucoma, but they are a good reason to visit an ophthalmologist.
Glaucoma is a chronic progressive disease.
It usually occurs above the age of 40, in a relatively small percentage, the incidence increases as the age does. Glaucoma cannot disappear, it can only heal and maintain medicines (eye drops). Once established, visual impairment can no longer be repaired. The main characteristics of glaucoma are increased eye pressure and decreased visual field as a result of damage to the optic nerve.
How to diagnose glaucoma?
A complete ophthalmic examination can only confirm or exclude glaucoma with good quality. Measurement of eye pressure alone is not sufficient, especially by non-contact measurement (beam) because it is not accurate enough, but can serve as a so-called "screening". In case of elevated ocular pressure, a complete examination should be performed with insight into the optic nerve and its quality and measurement of ocular pressure by other methods. If necessary, it is supplemented by examinations of the visual field and the so-called OCT (laser scan of the optic nerve and its threads). When only eye pressure values are borderline or slightly elevated, they are usually just needed periodic controls.
Are there various types of glaucoma and what are the risk factors for its occurrence?
- Chronic glaucoma - the most common one, that occurs in older life and its variants with the onset of cataracts
- Congenital glaucoma that occurs in infants, but fortunately it is easier to spot
- Acute glaucoma is a special phenomenon that causes sudden very severe eye pain with decreased vision
- Risk factors for its occurrence are smoking, high blood pressure, diabetes, high blood fat, taking certain medicines and inheritance - existence of glaucoma in the family
How is glaucoma treated?
The most important are the regular check-ups and the proper treatment of the drops, which is permanent (follow the instructions of the specialist). Certain types can be treated with special lasers. In case it cannot be regulated with drops it can be operated.
How to deal with glaucoma and how to prevent it?
Regular check-ups with a doctor and taking drops enables a normal life and prevents the disease from progressing. For prevention, it is best to perform a complete ophthalmic examination at the first examination for reading glasses, which is around 40 to 45 years of age, and to do periodic examinations at least every 2 years, and in the case of risk factors, more often. There is no specific prevention, that is, anything that is good for health is desirable: exercise, regulation of blood pressure, healthy eating, non-smoking and general health care.