It is invisible, but very dangerous. Glaucoma is a health problem that causes a gradual loss of vision, but which can lead to blindness.. The figures of its development are indiscernible, because according to the World Health Organization (WHO); More than 80 million people in the world are affected by this disease, a figure that will skyrocket to 112 million people in 2040. due to increased life expectancy.
And the country is not alien to these numbers, since statistics confirm that more than a million Spaniards have glaucoma, although a very high percentage of those affected do not know they have it, “despite being the second leading cause of blindness. in progress” reminds the Ludovicus Emilio Pablo Julvez Drhead of the Ophthalmology Service of the Miguel Servet Hospital in Zaragoza and the President Spanish Glaucoma Society (SEG).
Are we lacking in conscience?
Given the need to identify this problem and, on the occasion of World Glaucoma Week, it will enter Madrid from March 16 to 18. 17 Congress SEG. “Lack of information and awareness about GLAUCOMA, because it is a disease that does not warn and because the public does not have it on its radar, so adequate measures are not taken to detect it in time, laments Dr. Emilio Pablo Julvez, who shows that “new forms of diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma will translate into mainstream technologies”. therapies and surgeries that undoubtedly improve the prognosis and quality of life of those who suffer, but The obstacle we face here is a lack of awareness, because if the patient does not respond, the disease is diagnosed only when it is already advanced and whatever innovation has been achieved loses part of its effectiveness.
In this context, the president of SEG emphasizes among the innovations driven by Madrid the importance of “diagnosis at home”, because it is a disease that does not give any symptoms until it is not too late, so it is best to carry out periodic reviews. One option is currently being considered they rely on the diagnosis to reach home, because it is detected early. This is already starting in some countries and may be the way to godue to various devices that can measure intraocular pressure and monitoring signs of disease progression. In patients already diagnosed, it has been suggested to undergo closer home monitoring for signs of glaucoma change.
In order to make an accurate diagnosis, technological innovation is vital. “We are the subject of a spectacular revolutionsince we now have more tools, such as optical coherence tomography, which allows us to see a section of the layer of the optic nerve, which is the structure that is damaged when glaucoma appears”, explains Dr. Emilio Pablo Julvez. Once the problem was detected, technical progress also facilitated the best results, hence Another point of concern is the importance of microincision surgery using valves. “This is a minimally invasive intervention in which a device is placed, similar to a cardiac catheter, which restores circulation and lowers eye pressure in a physiological way as much as possible. It is less invasive than classical techniques and is a great development due to the high success rate and reduced probability of complications”, explains Dr. Emilio Pablo Julvez. Looking to the future, they suggest the expected developments in this field because “there are new neuroprotective drugs that are capable of protecting the optic nerve. They are still in research and development, but they can mark the future”, promotes the President of SEG, who teaches, meanwhile, “new drugs that are easier are taken, appear, which improve adherence, and with fewer side effects.
Even in youth
Although glaucoma is a problem that is closely associated with advanced age, it also occurs in younger people. “There are four types of childhood glaucoma and they can appear at different stages from birth or in the first years of life. In Spain, it is estimated that one in every 20,000 births has primary congenital glaucoma, which is the most common. It is the main cause of irreversible blindness in children, although in 80% of cases, if it is diagnosed in time, it can be controlled with surgery and drugs”, he confirms. doctor Iulian García Feijóohead of the Ophthalmology service at the Hospital Clínico de Madrid and Secretary General of the Spanish Society of Ophthalmology (SEO).
Looking to the future, both experts agree, regenerative medicine and gene therapy will mark the coming years. “The regeneration of the optic nerve and the fact that damage can be repaired is a great hope that we have now 20 years in both adults and children, but we are still far from it.”García Feijóo preaches Dr.
