Stay Alert Against Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a serious eye disease responsible for more than 13% of vision loss. Affecting 100 million people worldwide, known in Turkey as 'eye pressure' or 'Karasu disease' and affecting 2 out of every 100 people, the prevalence of glaucoma increases with age. If left untreated, glaucoma occurs more frequently in those over 40 years old and leads to permanent vision loss. "Once vision loss occurs as a result of glaucoma, recovery is not possible," says Dr. Nezih Özdemir, Ophthalmology Specialist at Acıbadem International Hospital. He emphasizes that eye pressure should be measured at least once a year to detect this disease, which typically progresses silently without symptoms.

Watch Out for High Eye Pressure

Glaucoma is generally known among the public as "eye pressure." Eye pressure exists in all people under normal conditions. The pressure created by the "aqueous humor" fluid produced in the eye is called eye pressure. This pressure provides nutrition to the eye through the oxygen and nutrients it contains. However, when this fluid cannot be drained from the eye at the same rate it is produced, eye pressure rises to levels that damage the optic nerve.

Main Symptoms Include Blurred Vision and Headaches that Intensify in the Morning

Although it is a disease that progresses silently and without symptoms, it is possible to remain alert to glaucoma. To do this, especially for those over 40 years old, eye pressure should be measured at least once a year. "Although the disease may not show many symptoms in its early stages, patients may sometimes experience blurred vision, headaches that intensify in the morning, seeing halos around lights at night, or pain around the eyes while watching television. An increase in eye pressure means the disease has progressed to an advanced stage," says Ophthalmology Specialist Dr. Nezih Özdemir, emphasizing that glaucoma is often noticed by patients only when significant vision loss occurs. In very advanced and untreated glaucoma cases, irreversible vision loss becomes inevitable.

Treatment is Possible

Glaucoma, which ranks high among causes of blindness worldwide, is actually a treatable disease. The most important criterion for successful treatment is that the patient knows about their disease and follows their doctor's recommendations during the treatment process. Untreated glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss, or blindness, as 100 million people worldwide have faced to date.  

Also Consider Other Risk Factors

Although high eye pressure is the most important cause of glaucoma, there are other risk factors that can lead to the disease. Advanced age, hereditary factors, racial factors (more common in Black populations), systemic hypertension, vascular diseases such as arteriosclerosis, connective tissue diseases, kidney diseases, hematologic disorders, and neoplastic diseases can also cause glaucoma. Additionally, glaucoma can develop in the presence of endocrine disorders with pituitary tumors, Cushing's syndrome, diabetes, or thyroid diseases.

Different Treatment Methods Available

Glaucoma can be diagnosed through a careful eye examination. Measuring the patient's intraocular pressure, examining the optic nerves through fundus examination, visual field testing, as well as advanced tests examining the optic nerve and nerve fiber layer can be used in diagnosis. "In some types of glaucoma, laser is the first treatment method, while in other types medical drug therapy is preferred," says Ophthalmology Specialist Dr. Nezih Özdemir, noting that in medical treatment aimed at lowering intraocular pressure, treatment methods are applied that either reduce the production of intraocular fluid or increase the outflow of fluid. Surgical treatment may also be considered in resistant cases or depending on the type of glaucoma.