The increase in glaucoma, which is one of the main causes of irreversible blindness, points out that it is an important health problem. Researches conducted by the World Health Organization on glaucoma, which ranks second among all causes of blindness with 12.3 percent, reveal striking results. Ophthalmology and Retinal Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil warned that if preventive measures are not taken and awareness about the disease is not raised, irreversible vision losses may be encountered.
ACCORDING TO WHO DATA, 111,8 MILLION PEOPLE MAY HAVE GLACOMA IN 2040
Reminding that 70 million people worldwide have glaucoma and 6.5 million people lost their sight due to glaucoma, Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil also referred to the WHO’s report, “In a report published by the World Health Organization, 2020
It was reported that 76 million people aged 40-80 years in the world had glaucoma. It is expected that this figure will increase to 95 million by 2030, and if measures are not taken, the disease will be seen in 111.8 million people in 2040. said.
RISK INCREASE IN Ocular PRESSURE
Stating that glaucoma is an optic nerve (visual nerve) disease that causes progressive visual field losses as a result of the destruction of retinal ganglion (nerve cell groups) cells in the retina layer of the eye, Prof. Nur Acar Göçgil said, “Increased intraocular pressure carries a risk in the formation and progression of glaucoma. If the disease is not treated, this pressure increase can affect the optic nerve more and cause vision loss up to blindness. He spoke as
MOST COMMON TYPE OF GLACOMA, PRIMARY OPEN-ANGLE GLAUCOMA
Stating that there are two different types of glaucoma, primary open-angle and closed-angle, Prof. Dr. Göçgil said, “The most common type of glaucoma, which is a common disease, is primary open-angle glaucoma. Intraocular pressure is higher than 10-21 mmHg, which we accept as the normal range. Often, it may not be high enough to cause a complaint in the patient, and the patient usually does not have a symptom. There is a problem in the outflow of the fluid produced in the eye and permanent damage to the optic nerve occurs gradually over months and years. Patients are unaware that they have glaucoma unless they consult an ophthalmologist. Less frequently, we see normal tension glaucoma. Here, as the name suggests, although the eye pressure is within normal limits, damage to the optic nerve develops due to the circulatory disorder. Again, no symptoms are seen in the patients. In the glaucoma type, which we see much more rarely and which we call ‘acute angle closure’, the eye pressure rises rapidly as a result of sudden obstruction in the outflow of the intraocular fluid (aqueous humor) secreted in the eye and inability to reach the drainage system. In this type of glaucoma, however, the patient often consults a doctor urgently with serious complaints. ” he declared.
“EVERYONE RISKS OF GLACOMA”
Stating that 90 percent of vision loss related to glaucoma can be prevented with early treatment, Prof. Dr. Göçgil said, “It is necessary to raise awareness about the disease. Having a family history of glaucoma, advancing age, especially people over the age of 60, people with hypertension, and people with high degree of myopic refractive error are in the general risk group, but actually everyone has the risk of developing glaucoma. It is important that patients with suspected glaucoma or those who are called at high risk of glaucoma visit their ophthalmologist regularly. Glaucoma is a disease that requires constant follow-up and treatment.” warned.
“EYE TENSION AND GLACOMA SHOULD NOT BE MIXED”
Stating that glaucoma should not be confused with glaucoma, Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil, Glaucoma should be distinguished from glaucoma. Is every patient with high eye pressure glaucoma? It is not. When we say glaucoma, we understand the accumulation of intraocular fluid, the increase in pressure, and the onset of damage to the optic nerve as a result of insufficient outflow of intraocular fluid. High eye pressure increases the risk of glaucoma and whether it causes damage to the optic nerve should be examined with further tests. Therefore, measuring eye pressure alone is not sufficient to detect glaucoma. In conclusion, high eye pressure is a risk factor for glaucoma. It is important to remember that the most effective treatment is early diagnosis. Glaucoma is a disease that should be followed for life. Routine checks and analyzes should not be abandoned just because the eye pressure has dropped.” used the phrases.
