Glaucoma, popularly known as the «Silent blindness«, Could affect approximately 1,600,000 people in Spain by 2030 if urgent measures are not taken, according to the latest estimates.
Glaucoma is the second cause of blindness in industrialized countries, after diabetes. The Spanish Glaucoma Society (Sec) estimates that it affects more than 3% of the population, especially to 40 years old and people with family history. Due to their silent evolution, it is estimated that half of the cases in Spain are uninforming.
One of the biggest challenges of glaucoma is its asymptomatic character in initial stages, which causes approximately 40% of people who suffer from it do not know. It is estimated that in 2030 about 640,000 people in Spain could suffer the disease without having received a diagnosis in time, which would imply a considerable and irreversible visual loss.
On the occasion of World Glaucoma World Cup Daythe aGlaucoma sociation for affected and family (AGAF) emphasizes the importance of early diagnosis and adherence to ophthalmological treatments to stop their progression.
«Glaucoma has a serious problem: patients do not perform the recommended eye reviews from certain ages and, when they receive the diagnosis, they have already lost much of their vision. In addition, those affected have a very low adherence index to treatments, which reinforces its impact as the main cause of irreversible blindness in the world, ”he warns Joaquín CarrataláPresident of Agaf.
Glaucoma progressively affects the peripheral visual field, causing what is known as «Tunnel vision«. Not causing pain or presenting evident symptoms in their early stages, many people are not aware of their deterioration until they have lost a significant amount of vision. For this reason, periodic ophthalmological reviews are recommended, especially from 45 years, when the incidence of the disease is greater. Currently, it is estimated that a million people in Spain suffer open angle glaucoma, the most common form of the disease.
Periodic ophthalmological reviews are recommended, especially from 45 years,
Although the glaucoma has no cure, there are treatments such as eyelets and medications that can stop their progress and reduce the risk of total blindness. However, adherence to treatment remains a problem: almost 38% of patients do not follow it constantly, either because of the difficulty in the application of the columia, the advanced age or the discipline required for their administration.
Current investigations focus on curbing the progress of glaucoma, but Agaf insists on the need to explore new paths that allow to know the origin of the disease and, above all, develop treatments to regenerate the optic nerve and recover the lost vision. To do this, they ask that glaucoma be recognized as a neurodegenerative disease, which would facilitate greater resources for research.
Scientific challenge
Glaucoma causes the progressive death of retinal ganglion cells due to high intraocular pressure. Regenerating these cells and restoring their connection with the neurological system and the optical nerve is a scientific challenge in the initial phase, but with great potential. However, lack of financing slows these advances, since it is not currently considered a neurodegenerative disease at the institutional level.
It is estimated that up to 90% of cases of blindness caused by glaucoma could be avoided with early detection. On the occasion of World Glaucoma Day, experts remember the need to perform annual ophthalmological reviews from 40 years. A complete exam should include the measurement of intraocular pressure (PIO), the evaluation of the eye drainage angle, the review of the optic nerve, a peripheral test of vision and the measurement of the corneal thickness.
The exact causes of glaucoma are not known with certainty, but it has been identified that high intraocular pressure is a key factor. Other risk factors include age, myopia Magna, family history, diabetes, anatomical predisposition and prolonged use of steroids or vasoconstrictors.
Glaucoma types
Glaucoma does not affect all patients equally and varies according to the type of disease. The chronic type is the most frequent (80% of cases) and the most dangerous, since it does not present symptoms until the loss of vision is advanced. On the other hand, the closed, less common angle glaucoma can manifest with symptoms such as intense eye pain, redness, headache and pupillary dilation, requiring urgent medical care.
Glaucoma treatment depends on the type and evolution of the disease. The first line of defense is usually the use of eyelets to reduce intraocular pressure. If medications are not enough, surgical options can be considered to improve the drainage of aqueous humor, ocular fluid whose accumulation can increase pio and damage the optic nerve.
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