A disease that damages the optic nerve of the eye and usually occurs when fluid builds up in the front of the eye. This is how glaucoma is defined by the American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Institution that explains on its official ludpage that excess fluid in the eyes increases pressure and damages the optic nerve.
The Spanish specialist agrees with this explanation, Alfonso Anton, who assured that one of the main risk factors for glaucoma is having high eye pressure.
“The frequency of the disease also increases as we get older, so it is more common in people over 40 years of age and especially in people over 60 years of age,” he said on the eve of the disease week.
The doctor stated that people with direct relatives, that is, parents and siblings, who suffer from glaucoma, are at greater risk of suffering from the disease.
Antón, who is also the head of the Glaucoma Department of the Barcelona Ophthalmological Center, maintained that the condition progressively affects the optic nerve, which is why he urges people to perform the tests frequently to obtain early diagnoses and timely treatment.
“Most of the patients do not have symptoms, so it is recommended that they make frequent ophthalmological consultations,” he said.
The expert pointed out that glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.
“It is estimated that approximately 50% of glaucoma cases are not diagnosed. While it is true that the disease is incurable, “he said.
He stated that 90% of blindness caused by glaucoma could be prevented through early detection and corresponding treatment.
