Is there a cure for glaucoma?

10 March 2022

It is an eye disease caused by increased intraocular pressure. The optic nerve is in charge of transmitting to the brain the information captured by the eyes, and the brain's interpretation of these images results in the visual phenomenon.

Increased intraocular pressure affects the blood circulation of the optic nerve, resulting in the death of optic fibers. In turn, this causes less information to be sent to the brain and this decrease in the amount of images processed is reflected in decreased vision.

The damage to the optic nerve occurs slowly and progressively, without causing pain. This is why glaucoma is called the silent thief of vision.

A clear fluid, called aqueous humor, constantly forms inside the eyes. To maintain a constant volume, part of this aqueous humor is regularly drained through the trabecular meshwork, a kind of net located at the angle between the base of the cornea and the beginning of the iris. Intraocular pressure increases when there is difficulty in the outflow of aqueous humor. It can also occur if more aqueous humor is produced than the proportion that manages to leave the eye.

When suffering from glaucoma, peripheral vision is the first to be lost, remaining for a longer period of time without altering central vision. At first, the visual damage is slight and may be greater in one eye than in the other. In such cases, the vision of the less affected eye compensates for that of the eye with worse vision, so that the patient does not notice the visual loss, but only becomes aware of it when he begins to collide with the objects around him. At that point, the damage is already very advanced.

Factors that may predispose to glaucoma:

• Family history of glaucoma.
• History of trauma or ocular inflammation
• Myopia
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Black race
• Over 50 years of age

However, glaucoma can affect people of all races and ages.

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, but it is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. More than half of the people affected do not know they have it, so it is especially important to have an ophthalmologic checkup once a year, or when indicated by your doctor.

During a regular checkup, the ophthalmologist makes a complete examination of your vision and eyes, the eye pressure is measured and the appearance of the optic nerve is evaluated. If necessary, diagnostic studies are indicated, among which may include: campimetry (computerized perimetry), to measure the visual field and determine if there has been a loss of peripheral vision; OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography), which counts the optic nerve fibers and analyzes its structure to determine if it is being affected by eye pressure. Corneal pachymetry and photos of the optic nerve are indicated in some cases. These data together allow the ophthalmologist to determine whether or not the patient suffers from glaucoma, in addition to quantifying the damage existing at that moment. The lost vision cannot be recovered.

Glaucoma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled. Treatment is aimed at preventing further vision loss. Initially, your ophthalmologist will prescribe medication in the form of eye drops to reduce eye pressure. In some cases, laser treatment may be started immediately. In more advanced cases, drops may be combined with laser treatment. If visual field damage is severe, surgical intervention is required.

Prevention is the best medicine. Remember to visit your ophthalmologist periodically.