Acıbadem Ataşehir Hospital Ophthalmology Specialist Assoc. Dr. Muhsin Eraslan gave important information about glaucoma. Specialized association Dr. Muhsin Eraslan said: “In a very high rate of 90% of patients diagnosed with glaucoma, no cause can be detected. The risk of glaucoma is known to increase 7 to 10 times in people with a family history of eye pressure. In addition, factors such as being over 40 years old, use of cortisone due to any disease and trauma to the eye, which disturbs the anatomical structure of the eye, intraocular stenosis, narrowing of the airways Drainage in the eye due to cataracts, previous eye surgeries and increased blood pressure increase the risk of glaucoma. was talking.
Association of specialists in ophthalmology. Dr. Muhsin Eraslan said, “Open-angle glaucoma has no symptoms until the late stage in a very high rate of 90% of patients. Narrowing of the visual field is the most typical symptom. However, as the visual field gradually narrows from the periphery towards the center, it is not noticed by the patient until the end of the period. Eye pain, redness, blurred vision, and sensitivity to light are some of the most prominent signs of angle-closure glaucoma, which is more symptomatic.
Glaucoma develops as a result of the deterioration of the balance of watery fluid produced in the eye and leaving the eye through small channels. Our eye contains the aqueous fluid that nourishes the ocular structures and is regularly produced at 0.2 microliters per minute. This fluid is simultaneously expelled from the eye under normal conditions. In glaucoma, an obstruction occurs in the intraocular fluid outflow pathway due to congenital or later causes. Therefore, the volume difference develops in the liquid produced and the liquid expelled. This image results in an increase in the volume of fluid in the eye, causing an increase in pressure inside the eye. The increased pressure in the eyes can also cause irreversible damage to the optic nerves.
Speaking that the diagnosis of glaucoma is made with a detailed eye exam, Specialist in Ophthalmology Assoc. Dr. Muhsin Eraslan continued his remarks by saying:
“After checking the visual acuity and the anatomical state of the eye, the eye pressure is measured with a tonometer device. Then, with the OCT test, it is determined whether the nerve structure of the eye has been lost or not. If glaucoma is diagnosed, it is classified as early-medium-advanced stage and the target eye pressure is determined. It is extremely important to create a separate target eye pressure for each patient in order to achieve effective treatment results. Because routinely determining the same target number for every patient can lead to worse glaucoma outcomes. So, for example, we set the target blood pressure at 18 mmHg for an early-stage patient, while targeting less than 12 mmHg for late-stage glaucoma.
Association of specialists in ophthalmology. Dr. Muhsin Eraslan, drawing attention to the fact that routine eye examinations should never be interrupted from the neonatal period for early diagnosis, explains this process as follows:
“Glaucoma can be observed not only in adults, but also in children. Therefore, a routine eye examination should be performed at 1-6 years of age, as well as at 1.5 and 3 months after birth. From the age of 3 until adulthood, the examinations must be continued each year. Especially in people over the age of 40, tests for elevated intraocular pressure and visual field defects caused by glaucoma also offer great benefit in terms of early diagnosis.
Although glaucoma treatment cannot ensure full recovery, damage to the optic nerve can be stopped, so the current condition of the eye can be preserved. The goal of treatment is to keep intraocular pressure below a certain level. Association of specialists in ophthalmology. Dr. Muhsin Eraslan said intraocular drops applied in the first stage are effective in most patients and said: “However, in some patients sufficient reduction of intraocular pressure cannot be achieved with treatment with drops and visual field loss increases. In such cases, laser intervention is the option, and in cases where this method is not effective, surgical methods are used.
Assoc. Dr. Muhsin Eraslan continues:
“Thanks to the evacuation of excess fluid during surgical procedures, the pressure inside the eye is reduced. Thus, the harmful effect of pressure on the optic nerve is eliminated. Although minimally invasive glaucoma surgery reduces intraocular pressure by 25-35%, this is not enough for some patients. In such cases, trabeculectomy or glaucoma drainage implant surgery is applied. Today, very successful results are obtained from laser and surgical methods; patients can get rid of eye drops that they must use for life. As long as it’s not too late for treatment.
