One million French people suffer from glaucoma. But half ignore it because it is a silent and painless disease. Glaucoma Week, which takes place from March 6 to 12, is an opportunity for screening and information for a large public.
Don’t hesitate to get tested for glaucoma during the week of March 6 to 12. Because this eye disease can make you blind if you realize it too late.
Glaucoma, what is it?
the glaucoma is a very common eye condition that increases with age. It is due to an abnormal rise in intraocular pressure, gradually and painlessly leading to irreversible loss of vision, if not detected and treated. It is a serious and common eye disease.
In the world, more than 70 million people have glaucoma, and more than 5 million are blind because of their glaucoma. Glaucoma affects more than one million French people.
Certain symptoms may suggest that a person has already advanced glaucoma. Among these, we find the fact of having pain in the eyes, but that’s not all! A decrease in vision, especially on the sides, is often a sign of glaucoma.
From the age of 40, a visit to the ophthalmologist is essential
Glaucoma must be quickly detected and treated. It is for this reason that ophthalmologists advocate for a visit at age 40, then every three years if there are no risk factors (glaucoma in the family, myopia, chronic diseases, etc.). From the age of 50, it will be every two years and every year beyond the age of 60.
It is a silent disease which does not cause pain and which advances insidiously. “Screening is fundamental, explains Dr. Philippe Denis, head of the ophthalmology department at the Croix-Rousse hospital in Lyon (Rhône), and member of the French Glaucoma Society. With early diagnosis, effective treatment can be given and blindness avoided. »
A painless screening
There is no organized screening as for breast or colon cancer. Yet it is a fundamental issue. Only 600,000 people are screened and treated and it would be more than 500,000 who present the disease without knowing it.
Screening is done in an ophthalmology office, it is quick, painless and risk-free. Intraocular pressure is measured, increased in case of glaucoma. The professional looks at the optic nerve using a fundus examination. He places a lens in front of his eye and looks directly without dilating the pupil. This does not prevent patients from driving or returning home following the consultation. Eventually, a photo of the optic nerve or an examination of the visual field is taken. Patients are shown dots of light and asked whether they see them or not.
Dry eye
Often overlooked, people with glaucoma undergoing treatment that makes their eyes red, irritated and dry can have dry eyes. In this case, do not hesitate to speak to the ophthalmologist who will give an appropriate treatment. The dry eye is also a very widespread eye pathology that increases with age.
Source : www.associationfranceglaucome.fr