Early detection and treatment of this blinding eye disease is very important! Be careful not to be targeted...

As the world's leading irreversible blinding eye disease, glaucoma is hidden in its onset and difficult to detect in the early stages, earning it the nickname "the thief of light."

World Glaucoma Week (March 10th-March 16th) is quietly approaching. This year's theme is "Jointly manage chronic glaucoma and keep the light forever."

So, what is the blinding eye disease glaucoma? What are the common treatments and surgical methods for glaucoma? Let's take a look!

What is the blinding eye disease glaucoma? In this era where people are always using their mobile phones and computers, the use rate of eyes is high, and eye health is facing great challenges. Glaucoma is currently the top irreversible blinding eye disease in the world, and it can occur in people of any age. Its damage is mainly manifested in damage to the optic nerve, just like an electric wire, once it is broken, it can never be connected again.

Glaucoma, like hypertension and diabetes, is a lifelong disease that usually develops gradually. It develops very slowly in the early stages and is easily overlooked. If it is not promptly controlled and treated, visual field loss and blindness will occur in the middle and late stages of the disease.

What are the common treatments for glaucoma? Currently, there are three treatment methods for glaucoma: medication, laser, and surgery. In the early stages, glaucoma can be controlled by medication and laser treatment, while in the middle and late stages, surgical treatment is mostly required.

Common surgical treatments for glaucoma Glaucoma surgery mainly includes two categories:

Promotes aqueous humor drainage

For example: the more classic trabeculectomy, laser peripheral iridotomy, drainage valve or drainage nail implantation, 360° viscotubule incision, etc.

Reduce aqueous humor production

This type of surgery mainly destroys some ciliary epithelial cells through physical therapy, thereby reducing the production of aqueous humor. Commonly used surgical methods include ciliary cryotherapy, ciliary photocoagulation, and ultrasonic cycloplasty.

Glaucoma can cause blindness, so early detection and early treatment are very important . Glaucoma can cause blindness and is incurable. Therefore, the key to glaucoma treatment is early treatment, and the prerequisite is early detection and diagnosis. Only in the early stages of glaucoma, when optic nerve damage is very mild or not severe, can treatment achieve better results.

01 Patients suspected of glaucoma have been examined. After the age of 40, intraocular pressure and fundus examinations must be performed regularly every year.

02 Those with a family history of glaucoma. Every family member should be carefully examined and, if necessary, undergo long-term regular observation.

03If one eye is diagnosed with glaucoma , the other eye should be examined as soon as possible to rule out glaucoma.

04 Suffering from systemic diseases related to glaucoma , such as diabetes, hypertension, hypotension, hyperlipidemia, etc.

05 Suffering from other eye diseases related to glaucoma, such as high myopia, high hyperopia and retinal hemorrhage.

06 Common symptoms of glaucoma occur : eye swelling, headache, halo vision, decreased vision, etc., and improve after rest.

People with the above high-risk factors do not necessarily have glaucoma, but the absence of signs of glaucoma in the initial examination does not guarantee that glaucoma will not occur in the future. Therefore, regular follow-up should still be carried out according to the advice of the ophthalmologist.

Director Zhang Ying of the Glaucoma Department of Wuhan University Aier Eye Hospital reminds us: The early symptoms of glaucoma are not obvious and difficult to detect. Once vision loss is found and the patient is sought medical attention, it is often in the late stage of the disease, with severe and irreversible visual field loss. Therefore, glaucoma emphasizes early detection to avoid delays in diagnosis and treatment, and timely protect our eye health.