Glaucoma is a very poorly understood. Often, people do not realize the severity or who are affected. We hope this information is helpful. Glaucoma is a major cause of blindness, glaucoma can cause blindness if not treated. And unfortunately, approximately 10% of people with glaucoma who receive proper treatment still suffers vision loss.
There is no cure (yet) for glaucoma: Glaucoma is not curable, and vision lost can not be recovered. With medications and / or surgery can halt the loss of vision. As the Glaucoma is a chronic disease should be monitored for life.
The diagnosis is the first step to preserve their vision: They all have the risk of glaucoma, from babies to elderly people. Yes, older people have a higher risk for glaucoma but babies can be born with glaucoma (approximately 1 in 10000 babies born in the United States.) Young adults can get glaucoma too. African Americans in particular are susceptible at a younger age.
There are no symptoms to warn you: In the case of open-angle glaucoma, which is the most com-a, there are virtually no symptoms. There is usually no pain associated with increased eye pressure.
The vision loss begins with peripheral or side vision. You may be compensating for this without realizing unconsciously turning his head to see, and not notice anything until they lose a significant part of his vision. The best way to protect your vision is controlled. If you have glaucoma, treatment can begin immediately.
Some statistics about glaucoma (references listed at the end of the note)
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, according to the World
African Americans is estimated that between 45 and 65 are 14 to 17 times more likely to go blind from glaucoma than Caucasians with glaucoma when compared with the same age groups.
About 4% of the population aged between 40 and 50, and 8% of those over 70 have increased eye pressure.
The most common form of glaucoma, open angle is responsible for blindness in 19% of African Americans and 6% of Caucasians.
Other risk groups include people over age 60, relatives of the paicentes with glaucoma, Diabetics and people with high myopia.
is estimated that the total number of people with suspected glaucoma amounts to 65 million worldwide (5)
Blindness ranks third (after cancer and heart disease) in the ranking of major concern for people.
20% of people knew that glaucoma is associated with increased eye pressure. Most of them mistakenly thought that people would realize if they have glaucoma symptoms, or that was easily curable or did not lead to blindness.
50% had heard of glaucoma, but were not sure what it was.
TO 30% had never heard of the existence of glaucoma.
Eye Fund, as the Computerized Visual Field, OCT optic nerve and the use of new drugs have revolutionized the diagnosis and treatment disease and constitute a major breakthrough.
The same is true for the laser treatment and surgery, when the pressure can not be dealt with treatment through medication.
important thing to mention is that the vast majority of patients were was blind for lack of knowledge of the disease. This limits the impact of advances in the prevention of blindness in glaucoma.
Only with the awareness of the population through public campaigns frequent and accurate transmission of information to patients, these developments can have an impact in reducing blindness. This should be our main objective.
Remember that when a disease is detected early, its evolution and prognosis are more favorable.
Dr. Alejandro Daniel Cisneros.
Nested Specialist in Ophthalmology
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