What Is Glaucoma?

What is Glaucoma? On World Glaucoma Day on 12 March, Abdi İbrahim illuminates its Headquarters building Aİ Tower in green in Istanbul to raise awareness of the disease. Glaucoma, a disease that causes permanent vision loss if it progresses, affects 70 million people worldwide. In the fight against this disease, 12 March is observed as World Glaucoma Day. Abdi İbrahim illuminates its headquarters building to draw attention to the disease as part of this effort.

Abdi İbrahim Shared Important Information About Glaucoma

The disease, commonly known as "eye hypertension," develops as a result of damage at the point where the optic nerve (vision nerve) leaves the eye to carry visual information to the brain, caused by elevated intraocular pressure. Abdi İbrahim Medical Directorate drew attention to this disease on World Glaucoma Day on 12 March and compiled striking information about the condition. If glaucoma is not diagnosed early and treated, it can lead to permanent vision loss. The prevalence of glaucoma in Turkey is estimated at 2-2.5%. Worldwide, 6.5 million people have experienced permanent vision loss due to glaucoma.

Early Treatment Can Prevent 90% of Glaucoma-Related Blindness

Abdi İbrahim stated in its statement that elevated intraocular pressure is the main modifiable risk factor in the development and progression of glaucoma. The disease may show no symptoms until advanced stages, and approximately 90% of glaucoma-related blindness can be prevented with early treatment. For this reason, early diagnosis and treatment are very important, but due to low awareness in developing countries, 90% of glaucoma cases go undetected.  

Diabetes Can Increase Disease Risk

Glaucoma disease has two separate forms: primary glaucomas (with unknown causes) and secondary glaucomas (developing due to another disease). The statement also noted that advanced age, diabetes, genetic predisposition (family history of glaucoma), myopia, refractive errors, obstructive sleep apnea, and corticosteroid use can increase the risk of glaucoma.

Should Be Monitored Regularly

While drawing attention to the disease, Abdi İbrahim also emphasized the importance of physician follow-up. It was stressed that patients with eye hypertension should be regularly monitored by eye doctors as "glaucoma suspects."