This is the second leading cause of blindness in the world: how to recognize the first signs of glaucoma

The condition is called the "silent thief" because it "steals" the visual field of those who suffer gradually with few symptoms.

And we give him his character of progressive and asymptomatic, well deserves the commemoration of its world day to know this pathology of which one speaks little.

The World Glaucoma Day Celebrated on March 12, this day aims to draw attention to a chronic disease that can severely affect vision, resulting in blindness.

As Omar López Mato, ophthalmologist, director of the Vision Institute, explains, "the disease is known since the time of the Greeks (glaucoma means white eye), but it is only in the 18th century century that eye pressure was related to visual damage. "

The poet John Milton (author of Lost paradise) loss of vision due to glaucoma. Andrea Bocelli and Ray Charles also suffered from conbad glaucoma. More contemporary, Paul Hewson, better known as "Bono", U2 singer and actress Whoopy Goldberg suffer from the chronic form of the disease.

Glaucoma is a chronic neurodegenerative disease that causes an increase in intraocular pressure, resulting in a progressive decrease in vision. If it is not diagnosed and treated on time, it can lead to blindness. This pathology does not usually present any symptoms, so it is essential to consult an ophthalmologist to obtain an early diagnosis of this disease.

"Most people are asymptomatic and when visual acuity affects the damage caused by glaucoma, it is already advanced. It usually begins to manifest as a slow, gradual loss of peripheral visual field vision", said Ophthalmologist Laura Taverna, of the Institute of Neuroscience of Buenos Aires (Ineba).

The gradual deterioration of vision usually goes undetected by the patient, until the decrease in the vision area (visual field) affects the performance of his daily tasks. Although most cases belong to so-called simple, slow-onset, progressive chronic glaucoma, there are other varieties that can evolve abruptly, acute glaucoma and secondary glaucoma. In all cases, the proportion of fluid produced by the eyes is changed. (in the ciliary body) and the exit system (in the trabecular meshwork and the iridocorneal angle).

Once detected, it can be treated with drops, oral medications, a laser and, if necessary, surgery. In addition to anti-glaucoma medications, it is advisable for those who suffer from it not to drink too much coffee or to drink too much liquid in a short time. Some medications, such as systemic corticosteroids, can also increase eye pressure. Although the damage is irreversible, the course of the disease can be controlled and the patient can maintain excellent vision with the appropriate treatment.

According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world. This term refers to a group of eye disorders that can cause damage to the optic nerve, a nerve formed of over a million nerve fibers and responsible for sending images to the brain.

It currently affects 4.5 million people worldwide and, according to forecasts, it could reach 11 million inhabitants by 2020.

"These lesions are usually badociated with an increase in intraocular pressure and fiber, and the loss of vision and the severity of the image depend on where the lesions of the optic nerve occur, which may affect the eye. one eye or both, "explained Taverna.

How to diagnose glaucoma and what to do if you have it

For diagnosis, a full examination of the eye is necessary, including tonometry (a study that detects the patient's eye pressure) and a bottom of the eye (to badess the optic nerve).

"There is currently a series of additional tests to confirm the diagnosis of glaucoma.such as the computerized visual field, confocal tomography of the optic nerve and optical coherence tomography of nerve fibers, among others, "explained Taverna.

Although the loss of nerve fibers in patients with glaucoma is irreversible; Early diagnosis, based on early detection through ophthalmic screening and further studies, can prevent the loss of nerve fibers and improve the prognosis of affected patients.