March 12-16 is World Glaucoma Week
"To help address
this critical situation, The Philippine Glaucoma Society,
in partnership with multi-specialty health care company, Allergan, has organized glaucoma
awareness activities during World Glaucoma Week. Both the Philippine
Glaucoma Society and Allergan believe that blindness from the
disease can still be prevented through early diagnosis and treatment."
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma
is one of the common eye diseases that affect normal vision of many
individuals. It is known as the silent thief,
and it works and robs people of their sight without any obvious warning signs
that people are aware of. These eye diseases damage the optic nerve. The optic
nerve acts as the cable wire that carries images from your eye to the brain. When the optic nerve deteriorates, blind spots develop in
your visual field, starting with your peripheral (side) vision.
Normal Vision
Person with Glaucoma
pics from: www.protect-your-eyesight.com/
Trivia’s about Glaucoma.
1. It
can happen to anyone, any race, at any age.
2. In
general, Glaucoma is identified at the age of 45
3. People
with 20-20 vision are not excluded from having it
4. When
the nerves are damage it’s irreversible
5. It’s one of the main reason for blindness
6.
If left untreated, glaucoma may lead
to blindness in both eyes.
7.
Congenital
Glaucoma, are lifelong-patients that are born with it. 80% of these patients
are diagnosed by 1 year
8.
Pigmentary
Glaucoma, is when excess pigment builds up in the ducts of the eye. This
prevents healthy drainage of old fluid and increases the pressure inside the
eye.
9.
Glaucoma is hereditary
10.
Glaucoma is not curable, only
treatable
11.
The
development of glaucoma can be gradual or abrupt
12. People with Diabetes have a bigger chance of getting glaucoma.
13. Steroids can be a cause of glaucoma.
14. People with High Degree of Myopia (nearsightedness)
or hyperopia (farsightedness) are also candidates.
15. According to statistics, Black/Asian
descent have a bigger risk of glaucoma.
16. Glaucoma can come from an eye
trauma or surgery history.
What are the common symptoms of Glaucoma?
1. Some
patient experiences headaches when reading or entering dark room.
2. They
see Halos around lights.
3. Misty
Vision
4. Eye
aches after vigorous activity.
5. Missing
pieces in the visual field such as first letters of words.
6. Increased
high intraocular pressure in the eye.
What are the common treatments
for Glaucoma?
1. Eye drops or pills
2.
Conventional
surgery
3.
Laser surgery
4.
Combination of surgery
and medication.
The best
prevention for Glaucoma is regular eye exams by an ophthalmologist. Detecting glaucoma at its early stage would
give more successful treatments. It’s best to have routine eye checkups. Every two to four years after age forty and
every one to two years after age sixty-five.
Christine Jacob, Hosting the World Glaucoma Week Awareness at Shangrilla, Makati.
The Philippine Glaucoma Society
(L-R) Dr. Norman Aquino (Past President of The
Philippine Glaucoma Society) | Dra.
Hannah Pia De Guzman |Dr. Manolito Reyes
(Immediate Past President of The Philippine Glaucoma Society) | Dra.
Ma. Zita Meriales |
Dr. Mario V. Aquino (Founding
President of PGS) | Dr. Rainier Covar | Dra. Imelda
Yap-Veloso (Current President of PGS) | Dr. Jose Ma. Martinez
(Current Vice-President of PGS) | Dr. Nilo Vincent FlorCruz
Our sight is very important. Please help by sharing this message and make other people become more aware about Glaucoma.