Patricia Gómez Pérez, specialist in glaucoma expert ophthalmology at Quirónsalud San José Hospital.
The glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in developed countries it is only behind cataract, although it is considered the first cause of irreversible blindness, since cataract offers a surgical solution. The prevalence of the disease is more than 3 percent in the general populationincreasing this percentage to 10 percent in those over 70 years of age.
On the occasion of World Glaucoma Daycelebrated on March 12, Patricia Gomez Perezspecialist in ophthalmology expert in glaucoma of the Hospital Quirónsalud San José points out that “glaucoma is a eye disease that progressively affects the optic nerve and causes alteration in the visual field of the patient, the final stage being blindness. The main risk factor for the disease is elevated intraocular pressure, although a higher incidence in patients treated with corticosteroidswhich mainly affects people over 40 years old and those with family background of glaucoma”.
“If the disease is detected in early stages, more than 90 percent of cases will come under controlHence the importance of regular ophthalmological check-ups for the entire population”, he highlights. Especially considering that glaucoma is a asymptomatic disease to advanced stagesso the patient, in most cases, is not aware that he suffers from it.
Once the disease is diagnosed, the patient will be offered the therapeutic options available: pharmacological, surgical and laser treatmentwith the aim of controlling its progress, maintaining a vision compatible with an active visual life.
Importance of early detection and patient follow-up
It is important the follow-up of patients at risk such as ocular hypertension and/or first-degree relatives of affected patients. All of them are recommended annual review at the ophthalmologist where eye pressure will be taken and a study of the optic nerve will be performed, performing a perimetry and a tomography of the optic nerve.
Although current treatment, both medical and surgical, can guarantee an acceptable quality of life in most glaucomas, it is still early detection very important of the disease because much of the therapeutic success will depend on the starting situation at the time of diagnosis.
“As glaucoma professionals, we aspire to broaden our knowledge of the disease, of the treatments and of the most scientifically recognized surgical techniques for the control of the disease and to be able to apply them to individualized needs in each patient”, concludes Gómez.
Quirónsalud San José, maternal and child center of excellence
The Hospital Quirónsalud San José has become a reference center for maternal and child care in the Madrid private health whose objective is excellence in comprehensive care for minors and their family environment. It has neonatal and pediatric surgery and with all pediatric specialties.
Thanks to the profound changes undertaken in the last two years –innovation in medical and surgical equipment, evolution of techniques of treatment, incorporation of latest technologies and modernization of its facilities– today it offers a portfolio of services that covers almost all specialties, with reference equipment, such as in Angiology and Vascular Surgerywhere it has highly qualified professionals who develop advanced minimally invasive surgery techniques, for which the latest technical advances in medicine are available.
It also has other specialties such as Traumatology, Ophthalmology, Urology, Dermatology, Endocrinology, Internal Medicine, Cardiologyamong others, as well as a Gynecology and Obstetrics Service of reference and a leading service in diagnostic imaging. Hospital Quironsalud San Jose offers 24-hour emergency care pediatric, gynecological and obstetric.
Although it may contain statements, data or notes from health institutions or professionals, the information contained in Medical Writing is edited and prepared by journalists. We recommend the reader that any questions related to health be consulted with a health professional.