Glaucoma, one in two does not know they have it, seen at risk

(ANSA) – ROME, 09 SEPT – Glaucoma, a degenerative disease of the optic nerve, acts silently and one in two people does not know they have it. In Italy 1 million 200 thousand people suffer from it; 55 million worldwide and one in 5 patients risk losing their sight. These are the data reported by the Italian Glaucoma Study Association on the occasion of the 4th AISG International Congress which will take place in webinar mode starting from tomorrow.
According to Stefano Miglior, Director of the Ophthalmology Clinic of the Policlinico di Monza, Milano Bicocca University, as well as president of AISG, glaucoma is a degenerative disease that generally involves both eyes, causing permanent damage to the optic nerve, which over time can lead to low vision. and blindness. (today it is the second leading cause of blindness in rich countries.). The most important risk factor is elevated eye pressure, but in one third of cases it is observed in patients with normal eye pressure.
The subject may experience a progressive reduction of the visual field up to the so-called “tubular” vision which gives the impression of looking through a cone, because you can only see a small part of what is in front of you. There is no definitive cure, but the disease can be slowed down with the right therapies. As reported in a note on the horizon, there are two new therapeutic possibilities that will be introduced in Italy by the end of this year or next year, but the crucial issue remains early diagnosis, given that according to the World Organization of health care, 50% of patients do not know they have glaucoma and the diagnosis is late. Periodic eye checks are essential from the age of 40, but even earlier if there are cases of disease in the family. (HANDLE).

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