[Click! Health] Today is 'World Glaucoma Day'... "Early Diagnosis is Important"

On the 12th, marking 'World Glaucoma Day,' advice was given on the necessity of early diagnosis and regular treatment of glaucoma.

According to Ewha Mokdong Hospital, glaucoma is a disease in which the optic nerve is damaged due to various risk factors including intraocular pressure, eventually leading to a narrowing of the visual field. Since there is currently no treatment that can fully restore the damaged optic nerve, the optic nerve damaged by glaucoma cannot be recovered. Therefore, the goal of glaucoma treatment is not a cure but to slow the progression of visual field loss and prevent blindness.

Glaucoma occurs in the optic nerve due to various causes such as increased intraocular pressure and impaired blood supply. Although it is an important disease and one of the major causes of blindness, it remains a difficult and unfamiliar condition to the general public, according to Ewha Mokdong Hospital. Additionally, it is often confused with cataracts due to the similarity in their names.

A professor of ophthalmology at Ewha Mokdong Hospital in Seoul explained about glaucoma, "Glaucoma and cataracts are completely different diseases despite their similar names," adding, "The causes, affected areas, and treatment approaches are all different." The professor further explained, "Cataracts are a disease where the lens becomes cloudy and can be treated to some extent through surgery, so the concept of a cure exists. However, glaucoma is a disease affecting the optic nerve, where the concepts of cure or recovery do not apply."

Glaucoma is a serious disease that can lead to blindness, but most patients do not experience symptoms in the early stages. In particular, in Korea, the proportion of glaucoma patients with normal intraocular pressure is relatively high, and in such cases, subjective symptoms are often not clear, leading to delayed hospital visits. The professor stated, "In many cases, patients are diagnosed with glaucoma through screenings despite having no discomfort, or are incidentally diagnosed with glaucoma when visiting the hospital for other symptoms," adding, "By the time symptoms such as blurred vision prompt a hospital visit, optic nerve damage has often already progressed."

Treatments for glaucoma include medication, laser therapy, and surgery. Treatment methods and plans are established according to the diagnosis and stage of glaucoma for each patient. Sometimes, eye drops can cause discomfort, and patients may stop treatment because they do not feel any improvement. However, since the progression of glaucoma is difficult to assess based on subjective symptoms, consistent examinations and treatment are necessary once diagnosed with glaucoma.

Ophthalmology specialists recommend eye examinations for those aged 40 and above. Especially if there is a family history of glaucoma, regular glaucoma screenings are necessary. The professor emphasized, "On the occasion of World Glaucoma Week, I would like to once again stress the importance of early glaucoma screening and encourage everyone to take care of their eye health."