World Glaucoma Day is an important opportunity to raise awareness of one of the main causes of irreversible blindness worldwide. Glaucoma is an umbrella term for a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, which is essential for good vision. This condition can affect people of all ages, but is more common in older age groups.

What is Glaucoma?
This disease is mainly characterised by increased intraocular pressure (IOP), which can damage the optic nerve over time. This damage prevents visual signals from reaching the brain and can lead to loss of vision or even blindness. It's important to emphasise that, in most cases, glaucoma doesn't show any symptoms in its early stages. When symptoms start to appear, the loss of vision can already be significant. Hence the importance of regular diagnosis, especially for those who are most at risk of developing the condition.

Why Does Glaucoma Occur?
It can arise for various reasons. The most common is related to increased pressure inside the eye, which can be caused by a build-up of watery fluid flowing inside the eye. When this fluid fails to drain properly, the pressure increases, damaging the optic nerve. Risk factors for glaucoma include older age, a family history of the disease, high intraocular pressure, ethnicity (people of African descent and Asians are at higher risk), short-sightedness and medical conditions such as diabetes.

What treatments are there?
Although there is no cure for glaucoma, there are treatments that can help control the condition and prevent the progression of vision loss. Treatment depends on the type of glaucoma and the severity of the disease. Options include:

- Medication: Eye drops or oral medications can help reduce intraocular pressure.
- Laser therapy: Laser procedures can increase the flow of ocular fluid or decrease fluid production.
- Conventional surgery: When medication and laser therapy are not enough, surgery may be an option to create a drainage channel for the eye fluid or to remove tissue that is blocking drainage.

Care
Early detection and treatment are key to preventing vision loss caused by glaucoma. People at high risk should have regular eye examinations that include measurements of intraocular pressure. In addition, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, with regular exercise and control of other health conditions, can help reduce the risk of developing glaucoma. For those who have already been diagnosed, it is crucial to follow the treatment plan recommended by the ophthalmologist and have regular check-ups to monitor the progression of the disease.

In short, although glaucoma is a serious and potentially disabling condition, with early detection and appropriate treatment, many people are able to live full lives and healthy visions. World Glaucoma Day serves as a vital reminder of the importance of eye care and the need to raise awareness of this silent but devastating condition.