Glaucoma is a common eye condition, poses a significant challenge to public health.
Approximately 80 million people worldwide suffer from glaucoma, making it the fourth leading cause of preventable vision loss
Glaucoma is characterized by permanent damage to the optic nerve, which conveys visual information from the eye to the brain. The prevalence of glaucoma is expected to rise due to an aging population.
In most glaucoma patients the vision loss is caused by an excessively high intraocular pressure.
Vision loss in glaucoma occurs slowly. Initially, it affects the peripheral field of vision (side/up/down).
Individuals may have significant visual deficits without realizing it. If glaucoma worsens and affects the central field of vision, it becomes more significant.
Practical Implications:
Loss of vision from glaucoma can impact daily life, including driving ability, work, and emotional well-being.
Early Detection and Management:
Regular eye examinations are essential for early detection.
Glaucoma can be stable and well-managed if diagnosed promptly.
Public health efforts should focus on raising awareness and promoting eye health.
Glaucoma treatments.
Eye drops are commonly prescribed as the initial treatment. They help reduce intraocular pressure (IOP) by enhancing fluid drainage or decreasing fluid production. There are many different glaucoma eyedrops with and without preservatives.
Laser Surgery:
When eye drops are insufficient, laser treatment becomes an option.
Laser trabeculoplasty aims to improve fluid drainage by treating the trabecular meshwork in the eye.
This procedure is usually performed on an outpatient basis.
Surgical Interventions:
If other methods are ineffective, surgery may be necessary.
Surgical options include:
Trabeculectomy: Creating a new drainage channel to reduce IOP.
Glaucoma drainage devices: Implanting a small tube to facilitate fluid drainage.
Minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS): Various techniques that are less invasive than traditional surgery.