World Glaucoma Week

On March 7 - 12, we will be celebrating the World Glaucoma Awareness Week.

Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness worldwide.  It is estimated that 4.5 million people are suffering from glaucoma globally.  The latest national survey for blindness revealed that 80,000 Filipinos are completely blind on one or both eyes and majority of them are not even aware that they have glaucoma.  

Glaucoma is a eye disease that causes irreversible blindness due to damage to the optic nerve.  Abnormally elevated pressure inside the eye (intaocular pressure) was once thought to be  the most common cause of the damage.  However, glaucoma occurs even in individuals who do not have an elevated intraocular pressures.  Several risk factors increase the incidence of developing glaucoma:  positive family history of glaucoma, migraine, diabetes, hypertension, racial ancestry (African) and  people with errors of refraction (nearsightedness and farsightedness).
Increasing age and increased intraocular pressure are also risk factors.
If left undiagnosed and untreated, this may lead to gradually worsening visual problems.  Sometimes the worsening blindness occurs without warning or symptoms, that's why glaucoma is also called "the sneak thief of sight" and the "silent blinding disease".

There two most common types of glaucoma are the primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and the acute angle-closure glaucoma (ACG).  Symptoms of POAG include gradual loss of peripheral vision in both eyes and tunnel vision in the advanced stages.  Acute angle-closure glaucoma (ACG) signs and symptoms include severe eye pain, eye redness, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, sudden onset of visual disturbances, and seeing halos around light.  Acute angle-closure glaucoma is an emergency condition because permanent visual loss may occur within hours of onset if not treated immediately.

As a rule, eye damages caused by glaucoma are irreversible.  There is no cure for glaucoma however some medications, laser and surgical procedures can be done to prevent or slow down further damage and vision loss.  Early detection is of utmost importance to prevent future vision impairment.

Early detection, early control.  Please visit your ophthalmologist for free glaucoma screening.