6.4 million people worldwide lose their sight every year due to glaucoma, which progresses insidiously in the eyes and causes damage to the optic nerve, often without showing any symptoms. Underlining that eye pressure and glaucoma are confused with each other, Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil said, “Eye pressure and glaucoma should be distinguished from each other. Is every patient with high eye pressure glaucoma? It is not. Patients are unaware that they have glaucoma unless they consult an ophthalmologist. Glaucoma can lead to irreversible vision loss if precautions are not taken. he said.
Glaucoma, a common eye disease that usually progresses without symptoms, can cause serious and permanent vision loss if left untreated. However, many people confuse glaucoma and eye pressure. Prof. Ophthalmology and Retinal Surgery Specialist, who made a statement about glaucoma or eye pressure disease, which manifests itself in the form of a permanent decrease in the visual field and gradually in the visual acuity, by slowly progressing. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and treatment and gave information about the well-known misconceptions about the disease.
“UNLESS MEASURES ARE NOT TAKEN CAUSES INVISIBLE LOSSES”
Underlining that glaucoma is a serious disease that destroys the optic nerve and can lead to vision loss, Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil said, “We have an optic nerve in our eye that provides communication between the brain and the eye. The light from the object we are looking at enters the eye and is perceived by special light-sensing cells in the retina. The optic nerve and the subsequent neural network carry this data to our visual center located at the back of our brain. The image is formed here. Glaucoma, which causes damage to the optic nerve, disrupts the patient's peripheral vision in the first period, gradually affects central vision; It is an optic nerve disease that can lead to blindness in the last period.” said.
“EYE TENSION AND GLACOMA SHOULD NOT BE MIXED”
Stating that glaucoma should not be confused with glaucoma, Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil said, “The normal value of intraocular pressure is considered to be between 10 and 21 mm of mercury pressure. Intraocular pressure is created by the fluid produced in the eye, which we call 'aqueous humor'. There is a balance between the production of this fluid in the eye and its outflow. Thanks to this balance, a stable pressure is created inside the eye and this pressure gives the eyeball its form, nourishes the tissues and protects them from external factors. Eye pressure disease (glaucoma) should be distinguished from each other. Is every patient with high eye pressure glaucoma? It is not. When we say glaucoma, we understand the accumulation of intraocular fluid, the increase in pressure, and the onset of damage to the optic nerve as a result of insufficient outflow of intraocular fluid. High eye pressure increases the risk of glaucoma and whether it causes damage to the optic nerve should be examined with further tests. Therefore, just measuring eye pressure is not sufficient to detect glaucoma. In summary, high eye pressure is a risk factor for glaucoma.” used his statements.
“WE ARE MORE COMMON WITH PEOPLE OVER 40”
Stating that there is a balance between the production of intraocular fluid and the outflow rate from the eye, Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil said, “If there is an obstruction in the outflow of the intraocular fluid, the fluid begins to accumulate in the eye. The resulting pressure puts pressure on the light-sensing cells and optic nerve, which are among the most important structures in the eye. When high pressure continues for a long time, glaucoma-related damage begins in the part of the optic nerve inside the eye. We know that the risk of glaucoma increases 7 to 10 times in individuals with a family history of eye pressure. Other factors that increase the risk of developing glaucoma, which we encounter more frequently in people over the age of 40, are high myopia, especially cortisone drugs and drops that are used uncontrolled and cause an increase in eye pressure, uncontrolled diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, smoking, eye traumas, long-term inflammation in the eye. . Thin corneal thickness is another risk factor. It is true that the incidence of glaucoma increases after a certain age, but this does not mean that glaucoma will not occur at earlier ages. Today, with routine controls and advanced diagnostic methods, we can determine the severity of glaucoma long before the person has visual impairment or the visual impairment progresses. Therefore, even if you do not have a complaint about glaucoma, it is of great importance not to interrupt routine follow-ups and examinations.” he said.
YOU MAY NOT UNDERSTAND THAT YOU HAVE GLAUCOMA
Reminding that 70 million people worldwide have glaucoma and 6.5 million people lost their sight due to glaucoma, Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil, “The most common type of glaucoma, which is a common disease, is primary open-angle glaucoma. Intraocular pressure is higher than 10-21 mmHg, which we accept as the normal range. However, it may not be so high that the patient notices a complaint, and the patient usually does not have a symptom. There is a problem in the outflow of the fluid produced in the eye and permanent damage to the optic nerve occurs over months and years. Patients are unaware that they have glaucoma unless they consult an ophthalmologist. Less frequently, we see normal tension glaucoma. Here, as the name suggests, although the eye pressure is within normal limits, damage to the optic nerve develops due to the circulatory disorder. Again, no symptoms are seen in the patients. In the glaucoma type, which we see much more rarely and which we call 'acute angle closure', the eye pressure rises rapidly as a result of sudden obstruction in the outflow of the intraocular fluid (aqueous humor) secreted in the eye and failure to reach the drainage system. In this type of glaucoma, however, the patient often consults a doctor urgently with serious complaints. ” he declared.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF GLACOMA?
Referring to the symptoms and treatment process of glaucoma, Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil said, “Unfortunately, since primary open-angle glaucoma is detected late, irreversible damage to the optic nerve may have developed when symptoms occur. Therefore, routine examination and early diagnosis are of great importance. Primary angle-closure glaucoma, which is rare, starts suddenly and causes a crisis. In this type, the eye pressure rises suddenly, and symptoms such as severe pain, nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, seeing halos around lights and bleeding occur. he said.
IF YOUR BABY HAS THESE SYMPTOMS, IT MAY HAVE CONNECTED GLAUCOMA
“Congenital glaucoma, which is seen in about 10 in 1 thousand, occurs due to the insufficient development of the outflow channels of the eye fluid in babies. The transparent corneal layers in the front of the eyes of babies of this type are cloudy or gray in shape and symptoms such as light discomfort, watery eyes, and inability to open their eyes are seen in babies. Dean Prof. Dr. Nur Acar Göçgil used the following statements regarding the treatment process of the disease:
“COMPLETE INTERVENTION CAN ALSO BE APPLIED”
“In the treatment of glaucoma, eye drops, oral medications as support, laser treatments and surgical interventions are our treatment options. We determine these treatments by considering the stage of the disease, the severity of the damage to the eye, the rate of progression, and the patient's compliance with the treatment and follow-up controls. Today, as drug treatment, eye pressure lowering eye drops are very effective. On the other hand, neuroprotective medical treatments with neuroprotective properties are now available. Our first treatment option is with drops, and if the disease is brought under control with medication, this treatment is continued for life without interruption. Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) application is a very fast and practical method in cases where drug treatment is not sufficient or the patient interrupts the drip treatment. In this method, it is aimed to widen the channels that cause obstruction in the eye by using laser. After the procedure, the pressure in the eye is reduced, but its repetition is often required. At the point where all these methods are insufficient, surgical intervention is inevitable. Depending on the severity and type of the disease, different surgical options may be prioritized. Glaucoma surgery is a delicate surgery that requires expertise, and close follow-up after surgery is also very important.
“ROUTINE CHECKS SHOULD NOT BE LEFT BECAUSE THE EYE TENSION HAS BEEN DROPPED”
Finally, it is important to remember that the most effective treatment is early diagnosis. Glaucoma is a disease that should be followed for life. Routine checks and analyzes should not be abandoned just because the eye pressure has dropped.”
Be the first to comment