He glaucoma It is an ophthalmological pathology that is estimated affects between 2 and 3 percent of the population in Spain but, as it is asymptomatic in its initial phases, the incidence could be higher. Commonly known as “eye strain“It is an incurable disease, but an early diagnosis can significantly reduce its consequences and improve the quality of life of the patient.
90 percent of blindness caused by glaucoma could be avoided by annual reviews, since it is a silent disease that causes blindness. The test to detect glaucoma consists of a tonometry to check for elevated intraocular pressure. It is a rapid test that does not cause pain and rules out those subjects susceptible to glaucomatous damage.
On the occasion of the ‘world glaucoma dayDr. Amparo Carrero Collantes, an ophthalmologist at the Medical Surgical Institute of Ophthalmology of the Vithas Nuestra Señora de América Hospital, answers the 10 most common questions among the population to better understand this disease.
What really is glaucoma?
Although usually associated with high eye pressure, glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerve consisting of a progressive loss of its nerve fibers. This results in a progressive loss of the patient’s visual field. In advanced cases, this visual field is limited to the central part. It is the so-called “shotgun barrel” vision.
Are there different types of glaucoma?
Yes. Glaucoma is a complex disease in which there are different types. The most frequent are: Primary open angle glaucoma, associated with chronically elevated eye pressure, and GPrimary angle-closure laucomaassociated with acute high blood pressure.
There are other variations linked to other pathologies, both of the organism and of the eye, such as secondary glaucoma and congenital glaucoma, but they are much less common.
What symptoms does it produce? Should I notice if I have glaucoma?
The main cause of glaucoma, ocular hypertension, is asymptomatic until the disease is in a very advanced state. In the initial phases it doesn’t hurt or notice anything since the course of the disease is usually slow and progressive.
In general, if the ophthalmologist has diagnosed glaucoma in one of the eyes, it will also foreseeably affect the other, even if there are no obvious signs yet.
How can I know if I have it?
in a single complete ophthalmological examination we can rule out if we have glaucoma. This examination includes: a measurement of intraocular pressure and an examination of the fundus to assess the state of the optic nerve.
In addition, it is convenient to carry out a campimetrya simple and non-invasive test, which is performed in the ophthalmologist’s office, and tells us if there is any alteration in the patient’s visual field at that moment.
Who is most at risk of suffering from it?
All people are susceptible to glaucoma. Based on this premise, among the population at risk, the following stand out: those with direct relatives affected by glaucomathe population over 40 years of age, people with high myopia, the black race, patients with diabetes, patients with previous eye trauma and/or patients with complicated eye surgeries, among others.
Is glaucoma hereditary?
glaucoma does have a hereditary component. Immediate relatives of patients with chronic glaucoma are more likely to have it. Periodic check-ups at the ophthalmologist are recommended to these people, at least once a year, to detect if at any time they begin to suffer from this disease.
Can I go blind from glaucoma?
Yes, if not treated properly. Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the developed world. For this reason, promoting early diagnosis of the disease through awareness and information campaigns for the population is essential.
Can you stop having glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a chronic pathology with a variable rate of progression. Once established, it cannot be reversed; but we can stop its progressiontreating it in time to avoid an affectation of the visual field of the patient that affects their quality of life.
How can it be treated?
The goal of glaucoma treatment is to achieve a level of intraocular pressure that does not cause optic nerve involvement. The target intraocular pressure value should be personalized in each case. Values between 10 and 21 mmHg are usually considered normal.
For cases in which the disease is in its early stages, there are various types of eye drops designed to reduce tension. They should be used daily, preferably at the same time of day, and a single type or combinations of several can be used.
For cases in which the disease is very advanced and eye drops are not enough, or they do not have enough effect, there are also several surgical techniques designed to reduce tension
What can I do to prevent glaucoma?
The only thing that is in our power is to go regularly to a specialist to obtain an early diagnosis, so that, in case of having glaucoma, treatment can be started as soon as possible.
An annual blood pressure measurement is recommended for all patients, especially the population considered at risk, such as those with a direct family history and people over 40 years of age.