What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness and affects 80 million people worldwide, with projections exceeding 180 million by 2060, due to population ageing and the increasing prevalence of myopia. It is a disease of the optic nerve, mainly caused by an increase in intraocular pressure, leading to a progressive loss of peripheral vision. The disease does not produce symptoms until vision loss occurs. This loss is irreversible, although its progression can be prevented if detected early.
Glaucoma explained in first person
There are 50% of cases that are not diagnosed. And the diagnosis is important to start a treatment as soon as possible that, we must not forget, is designed to preserve the vision that the patient still has.
My diagnosis was relatively easy because of family issues, our family history. My mother had it for many years, she lost her sight and following that, the family alarm went off.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve and cause a progressive loss of peripheral vision. The optic nerve is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain.
Although vision lost due to glaucoma cannot be restored, early diagnosis, regular monitoring, and treatment can slow the disease and prevent further visual deterioration.
Intraocular pressure
The eye contains a fluid (aqueous humor) that is continuously renewed throughout the day and drains out through a filter-like structure (the trabecular meshwork), located at the angle between the cornea (the transparent layer) and the iris. Because this fluid is inside a closed cavity, it generates a certain level of pressure.
For the eye to function properly, a certain level of pressure is necessary to maintain its shape. However, if the intraocular pressure is too high (or higher than a particular eye can tolerate), this pressure compresses the optic nerve and damages its fibers.
Tipos de Glaucoma
Primary open-angle glaucoma. The eye’s drainage system (angle) is open (not obstructed by other ocular structures), but it does not function properly, so the fluid in the eye (aqueous humor) does not drain correctly. It is the most common type of glaucoma and develops very slowly, with virtually no symptoms.
Angle-closure glaucoma. The eye’s drainage angle is closed, and the aqueous humor does not have enough space to exit the front part of the eye. This type is much less common and can occur slowly (chronic) or suddenly (acute), with a rapid and painful increase in intraocular pressure.
Secondary glaucoma. In this case, the disease appears as a consequence of another eye condition or trauma that ultimately affects the eye’s drainage system. This may occur, for example, due to eye inflammation (uveitis), excess pigment (pigmentary glaucoma), or the accumulation of exfoliative material within the eye (pseudoexfoliation). It can also result from the growth of new blood vessels within the drainage system that impair its function (neovascular glaucoma), among other causes.
Childhood glaucoma. This is a very rare but potentially severe type. It is usually present at birth (congenital) or develops shortly afterward. It is caused by a malformation of the eye’s structures.
How many people does glaucoma affect?
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide (accounting for 3.5% of all forms of blindness) and the leading cause of irreversible blindness. It is estimated that 80 million people have glaucoma, and this figure is projected to rise to 180 million affected individuals by 2060.
In Spain, glaucoma affects 2–3% of the population over the age of 40. Recent studies estimate that around 1.5 million people have glaucoma, although half of them are unaware that they have the disease.
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Published: 19 October 2018
Updated: 19 October 2018
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