Glaucoma: a silent pathology

28/12/2023

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Glaucoma is dubbed ‘the silent thief of sight’ because symptoms only manifest in advanced stages, complicating detection and delaying effective treatment. The World Health Organization estimates around 60 million people worldwide suffer from this irreversible optic nerve condition, a number expected to rise in the coming years. In the latest episode, we delve into this topic with Dr. Francisco Ruiz Tolosa, the coordinator of the glaucoma department at the Barraquer Ophthalmology Centre.

• Why is glaucoma known as the ‘the silent thief of sight’? What symptoms does it present?
• Why does an increase in intraocular pressure occur?
• How can it be diagnosed?
• What are the risk factors for the onset of glaucoma?
• Once the disease appears, what other factors can influence its progression?
• What are the main treatments for glaucoma?
• How is the pathology approached in paediatric patients? Are there cases, or does it only affect adults?
• What recommendations do we offer to our patients?

In the Glaucoma: A Silent Pathology #12 episode of our podcast, Descansa la vista, we engage in a conversation with Dr. Francisco Ruiz Tolosa, an ophthalmologist at the Barraquer Ophthalmology Centre. We address doubts and provide essential information for early detection and optimal treatment.

Why does an increase in intraocular pressure occur?

We all have intraocular pressure. In the eye, a fluid, aqueous humour, is constantly produced and also eliminated. Usually, when there is an increase in pressure, it is due to a decrease in the outflow. That is, fluid continues to be produced, but it is difficult to eliminate, and as it is a closed circuit, if more is produced than can be eliminated, intraocular pressure rises.

What are the main risk factors for the onset of glaucoma?

Especially family history, as having a family member with glaucoma predisposes one to it. In addition to age, especially from the age of 40, myopia, particularly high myopia, presents two to three times more risk of developing this ocular pathology, as well as people with darker skin and some diseases like diabetes.

What are the treatments for glaucoma?

The primary treatment for glaucoma is to reduce intraocular pressure. To achieve this, we use eye drops, i.e., pharmacological treatments with drops that are instilled once or twice a day. We also have laser treatments, which are performed on an outpatient basis in a few minutes, and then we move on to surgeries. We have minimally invasive surgeries, and we also offer more conventional surgeries that have been used for years.

We invite you to listen to this podcast episode to uncover some of the main questions about glaucoma, and we remind you that you can send us your questions about eye health on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook using the hashtag #RestYourEyes so that we can address them in the upcoming episodes."