Glaucoma - The Silent Thief of Vision
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The main reason for blindness is often elevated pressure within the eye, which damages the optic nerve responsible for vision and can lead to complete blindness.
Glaucoma is known as the silent thief of vision because elevated eye pressure is usually not felt and does not cause pain. Consequently, damage to the optic nerve and vision loss occur "silently" without the patient's awareness. Glaucoma patients are often unaware of their condition and do not seek treatment until significant and irreversible damage to their vision has occurred.
The prevalence of glaucoma increases with age. People over the age of 40 have a 2% risk of glaucoma, and over the age of 80, one in every ten individuals may have glaucoma. People with a family history of glaucoma are at a higher risk of developing the condition.
How does intraocular pressure rise?
Our eyes are closed spheres containing fluid. There is an area within the eye that produces new fluid flowing into it, and there is a drainage system that allows the fluid to exit the eye. In glaucoma patients, there is an imbalance between fluid production and drainage. Often, the drainage system does not work efficiently, leading to elevated intraocular pressure.
The good news is that glaucoma can be treated!
The treatment for glaucoma focuses on reducing intraocular pressure. This can be achieved through topical medication (eye drops), laser therapy, or surgery. In the glaucoma clinic, the patient undergoes a series of tests to evaluate intraocular pressure, the eye's structure, and the drainage system. Additionally, a careful assessment of the degree of damage to the optic nerve is conducted. Based on all these findings, a target pressure for treatment is determined, and the specific treatment plan is tailored to the patient's needs.