He is considered the silent thief of sight and is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, but yet, glaucoma remains for many an unknown disease.
The experts have always stressed the importance of information campaigns, but his obsession takes a more prominent role than ever. Because people are increasingly living longer, it is estimated that the prevalence of this disease pass the 60 million patients in 2010 to 80 million by 2020 worldwide.
“Now we know how to stop it and we have very good methods of treatment, so it is vital that people are aware and will make the relevant checks,” says Clive Migdal, president of the European Glaucoma Society.
The expert, who participated in an international meeting with the specialist press in London, said that 50 percent of people who have it are undiagnosed.
Glaucoma is an eye disease that affects the optic nerve due to increased intraocular pressure (IOP). Auque damage is irreparable, experts now know how to stop it and have succeeded in developing advanced treatments for the patient can continue with their quality of life. The problem is that people do not notice vision loss until 40 percent of the optic nerve is damaged, so in some cases, when it comes to query is too late to act. Hence the importance of screening.
The “Global Week of glaucoma”, held from 7 to 13 March, becomes a vital appointment to raise awareness, but experts want to continue making revisions over the years. The last person who has lent his image has been campaigning for John Patrick Shanley, who won an Oscar for Moonstruck. The writer, who has starred in an ad co-produced by Pfizer and the World Association of glaucoma patients, tells how, and thanks to rapid diagnosis has been able to continue with their lives.
People, however, have not been relevant analysis have been affected their everyday activities. And is that the disease can alter the walk, the location of objects, recognizing faces, driving or carrying balance the individual to lose their freedom of movement.
According to Dr. Migdal, as a rule, the checks should start to become obsolete after 60 years, but it is recommended that people who are more risk-those with diabetes or family history, starting at age 40.
According to the patient profile, treatment may be surgical, with laser therapy or drugs, the latter being the most used. “The operation does not work with everyone also has its risks, since among other things, can cause cataracts,” says the experts, the drugs, however, are becoming more effective and simpler. Now we just have to be taken once at night so it has greatly improved the quality of life”