(02) 8-898-2020
(02) 8-898-2020
Published on: March 7, 2022
From March 6 to 12, 2022, we observe the World Glaucoma week. It’s a global initiative of the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) to raise awareness about glaucoma.
Glaucoma is among the leading causes of blindness worldwide. But your eyesight can be saved with early detection and management.
According to Asian Eye Institute Glaucoma Specialist Dr. Edgar Leuenberger, glaucoma results from the damage to the optic nerve. “The optic nerve serves a very important function – and that is to send light signals to our brain so we can see. Any damages to the optic nerve will likely lead to permanent blindness.”
But how does the optic nerve get damaged? He explains, “The eye has a drainage system where a fluid called aqueous humor flows into and out of the eye. But if this drainage system is not working, this fluid builds up and increases the eye pressure. Constant and abnormally high eye pressure damages the optic nerve.”
The development of glaucoma is slow and painless. He adds, “Glaucoma doesn’t have signs or symptoms as it starts, so most glaucoma patients may not notice a change in vision until it is in the advanced stage. And since blindness caused by glaucoma is permanent, we urge patients to get a comprehensive eye exam every year. ”
It is important to remember that a comprehensive eye exam is more than just checking if you need eyeglasses. It involves a series of tests to measure the eye grade and check the front and back parts of the eye, which includes eye pressure check. “We want to see if there are any irregularities in the eye or if there is increase in eye pressure. And if there is, patients will have to undergo further tests to confirm if they have glaucoma. Through this, we can detect it early and recommend the appropriate treatment for them,” says Dr. Leuenberger.
There are different treatment options available for glaucoma patients – prescription eye drops, oral medications, laser therapies and other surgical procedures. He explains, “The treatment will depend on the extent of patient’s eye condition and type of glaucoma. We can do a combination of treatments, with the main goal of lowering the eye pressure and maintaining it at the normal level to prevent blindness.”
Get comprehensive eye exams yearly, especially if you have high eye pressure, are over 60 years old, have a family member with glaucoma, have diabetes and hypertension, have high nearsightedness or farsightedness, have had an eye injury or surgery, and take corticosteroid eye drops for a long time.
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