The leading cause of blindness: Beware of the silent thief in your eyes

Glaucoma, also known among the public as high eye pressure, emerges as the leading cause of blindness if not treated in the early stages. Stating that the disease, which is estimated to affect approximately 80 million people worldwide, is the silent thief of your vision, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Remzi Karadağ said, "This condition is seen in approximately 1 in every 40 people over the age of forty, and in 1 out of every 20 people who develop the disease, it causes permanent vision loss in both eyes."

Glaucoma, which is quite difficult to notice and can lead to serious consequences that may result in blindness, is among the most common insidious diseases observed in the eye. The condition, which can be seen in any patient, especially during middle age, usually occurs as a result of damage to the optic nerve caused by high intraocular pressure. The condition, which has no symptoms, reveals itself during an eye examination. For this reason, regular eye check-ups are of great importance.

CAN BE SEEN AT ANY AGE

Stating that glaucoma is one of the most common causes of permanent vision loss worldwide, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Remzi Karadağ said, "Eye pressure (glaucoma) can be seen at any age. However, it is seen more frequently, especially in patients over the age of 40. Intraocular pressure is created by an intraocular fluid called aqueous humor and is necessary for normal eye health. The intraocular fluid is produced by the vascular layer of the eye, and this fluid is drained out of the eye through specific channels. When the balance between the production of fluid inside the eye and the outflow of the fluid is disrupted, an increase in pressure begins, which causes eye pressure to rise. We can describe it as the silent thief of vision. Because it progresses silently without showing itself," he stated.

THOSE USING STEROIDS SHOULD BE CAREFUL

Underlining that early intervention is of great importance as in every disease, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Karadağ continued his words as follows: "The patient does not feel any pain or redness during this process. Since vision progresses by closing from the periphery, there is no decrease in vision for a long time. For these reasons, a glaucoma diagnosis is usually made incidentally during eye exams for glasses. Those who are diagnosed early are lucky and have no risk of going blind. When it starts to show symptoms, approximately 30-35 percent of nerve cell loss has occurred, and this cell loss is irreversible. It is important for people over the age of 40, those with a family history of glaucoma, those using steroids, those with high myopia, and those with a history of diabetes and trauma to have regular eye pressure checks."

BEWARE OF SYMPTOMS

Emphasizing that there is a type of glaucoma that shows symptoms, albeit rarely, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Karadağ concluded his words by saying, "In glaucoma, which we call angle-closure glaucoma, intraocular pressure rises suddenly. In this case, the person may experience severe headache and eye pain, nausea, vomiting, blurred or reduced vision, and seeing halos around lights. First and foremost, early diagnosis is very important. Because lost nerve cells and vision do not return. It can be treated with eye drops. Treatment with eye drops lasts a lifetime. If success is not achieved with eye drop treatment, it is necessary to lower the eye pressure with laser or surgery."

News Source: 12punto