Early diagnosis of glaucoma prevents blindness

Glaucoma Week is held every year to draw attention to glaucoma. This year, with the events organized within the scope of World Glaucoma Week between 08-14 March, efforts are being made to raise public awareness all over the world.  Glaucoma, or "eye pressure disease" as it is popularly known, is an important health problem today. Turkish Ophthalmology Association aims to announce to the public the need for basic eye examinations in Türkiye in order to diagnose the disease in the early stages and protect vision, and carries out studies to raise people's awareness about eye pressure measurement. 

 

Prof. Dr. Tekin Yaşar gave important information by underlining that this year's Glaucoma Week coincides with the month of Ramadan. Pointing out that eye pressure is among the chronic diseases, Yaşar pointed out that long-term drop treatment should be continued without interruption and continued as follows: The most frequently asked question by patients during Ramadan is whether eye drops break the fast. The Presidency of Religious Affairs has a statement regarding the use of eye drops by people who are fasting: "The amount of medicine dropped into the eye is very small, that is, 50 microliters, which is 1/20 of 1 milliliter, and some of it is thrown out by blinking, and some of it is absorbed into the body through the pores in the eye, in the canals connecting the eye and the nasal cavity, and in its mucosa. Moreover, this process does not mean eating or drinking. Therefore, using eye drops It does not break the fast."

 

Prof. Dr. Tekin Yaşar added that one should not wait for sahur or iftar time to use the eye drops and that the drops should be used regularly and at the right time and said, "It is very important for the regularity and continuity of the treatment. We remind our patients of this at every opportunity." he said. 

 

Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness after cataractsProf. Dr. Tekin Yaşar shared that glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness in the world after cataracts and said: "One of the important causes of the disease is that the increased eye pressure in most patients disrupts the blood circulation and nutrition of the optic nerve, and this pressure causes damage to the nerve cells. The damage to the optic nerve is irreversible. Vision lost due to glaucoma cannot be returned. Therefore, early diagnosis is very important, glaucoma can be stopped with early detection of the disease. There are approximately 2.5 million people in Turkey." It is estimated that they have glaucoma. Half of these patients are unaware that they have glaucoma. Approximately 300 thousand of the patients receive regular treatment. Glaucoma disease causes insidious, often painless, irreversible damage to the optic nerve and no known treatment can restore lost vision. The most effective way to prevent damage to the optic nerve is to identify the disease with early diagnosis and to reduce intraocular pressure with various pharmacological drugs, laser and surgical interventions. (Neuroprotective) treatments are available.”

 

If you have a glaucoma patient in the family, do not forget to have your check-ups. Stating that the disease can be seen at any age from birth, but usually occurs after the age of 40, Yaşar stated that its incidence increases with age and that many types of glaucoma are more common in women, while congenital ones are more common in men. He warned that the presence of a family member with a history of glaucoma should cause concern about the presence of glaucoma and should have regular check-ups.