World Glaucoma Week: How can I contribute?

World Glaucoma Week is a gesture by different organizations around the world to reduce the impact of this disease on the population. What is glaucoma? It is a disease that causes poor drainage of the aqueous humor, which increases the volume of fluid in the eye and, therefore, the intraocular pressure shoots up.

The impact of glaucoma in the world of health is gigantic, since it is the fourth cause of vision loss. This represents more than 8 million people affected around the globe. However, and fortunately, about 90% of the pictures triggered by the disorder can be counteracted with early detection.

Celebration of World Glaucoma Week

The reason for the celebration of World Glaucoma Week – from March 7 to 13 – is to make the disease known and its damaging effects. In addition, the population is encouraged to monitor their visual health through periodic tests, thus seeking to increase the percentage of early detections.

What are your goals?

The objectives of the commemoration that exhibits the motto "Focus on glaucoma" they have derivations towards different sectors. In turn, the essential purposes and from where planning starts are the following:

• To announce what are the risks of glaucoma.
• Raise awareness in importance of getting tested regularly.
• Bring information on risk groups They should pay special attention to the disease.
• Raise awareness of the population need for prompt treatment.

It may interest you: Can eye pressure be lowered to avoid glaucoma?

What activities are carried out?

The activities are increasing over the years. Among the initiatives with the greatest presence and impact on the population are congresses; there advances to treat glaucoma are exposed. Campaigns are also carried out on social networks and in different media so that relevant information reaches all sectors.

Not least, free testing sessions are held in different countries for the early detection of glaucoma. This is a strategy that draws attention from action.

Risk groups

Diagnosis as soon as possible will always be an advantage so that glaucoma cases do not reach critical levels. But in addition to this, understanding who is part of the risk groups allows for a differentiated and effective monitoring.

In this sense, the following scenarios are considered in the risk assessment:

• Suffer from diabetes
• Be over 60 years of age.
• Being nearsighted.
• Present close relatives with glaucoma.
• Be of African origin. African Americans are estimated to have corneas that are thinner than the rest; such thinness is prone to increased intraocular pressure.
• Having farsightedness

Importance of early diagnosis

From the World Glaucoma Week initiative, it is recommended that the eye test be done at intervals of 2 years. The importance of early diagnosis is that, although it is not possible for the lost vision to be restored, there are treatments that can slow the deterioration.

Most of the glaucoma affectations that are detected in due time do not end up damaging the quality of life of the person. On the other hand, it gives the specialist more time to adjust the best possible approach.

It is recommended that, regardless of whether or not you are in the aforementioned risk group, after 40 years of age follow-up to eye health be constant.

What are the treatments available for glaucoma?

The treatments depend on the condition that each patient shows, so drops can be prescribed or they can be used for laser surgeries or filtration techniques. Thus, the available approaches to glaucoma are as follows:

• Drops: prostaglandins, beta blockers, alpha adrenergic agonists, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, rho kinase inhibitors, and both miotic and cholinergic compounds.
• Oral medication: It is used as a complement for the regulation of ocular pressure, only in conditions where it is necessary.

• Surgeries: encompasses trabeculectomy (opening a pathway for the aqueous humor to vent) and minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, known as MIGS.
• Laser therapy: It is a selective laser trabeculoplasty used for open-angle glaucoma.

Living with glaucoma

When glaucoma is diagnosed and the treatments defined by the specialist are assumed, a new stage of adaptation arrives. World Glaucoma Week also contributes to this issue.

Consultations can be weekly or monthly, according to the control of intraocular pressure.. For this reason, communication and trust with the doctor are important factors in living with glaucoma, since it will facilitate any timely readjustment.

On the other hand, it is convenient to keep track of all the medications that have been used and the response that has been received. This regardless of whether the doctor has your records. Patient involvement never hurts.

Also, the following tips are valid when living with glaucoma:

• Maintain good eye hygiene.
• Avoid rubbing the eyes, despite feeling discomfort with some medication.
• Wear sunglasses for activities that allow it.
• Reduce episodes of stress and give importance to emotional stability to face situations of imminent blindness.
• Nurture communication with the environment.
• Maintain a normal life with usual activities. This from the non-negotiable premise of taking care of the eyes in circumstances that represent a risk.

Read also: This is how the eye cleanses itself

World Glaucoma Week to urge consultation

World Glaucoma Week reminds us of the importance of sight, its unavoidable care and early detection of problems. The recommendation is to get tested every 1 or 2 years, in order to verify the state of the optic nerve.

If you suffer from glaucoma, it is preferable to complement your usual activities with good habits that protect your vision. The latter can be done with the use of hypoallergenic products. "Don't lose sight of glaucoma!".