Glaucoma is the biggest cause of irreversible blindness in the world. The disease affects the optic nerve and causes a loss of intraocular pressure. It is a silent disease, which does not show symptoms in the initial phase, and mainly affects people over 40 years of age. Glaucoma is a chronic disease that affects the eye and that in its evolution slowly damages the nerve of the eye. This happens because high eye pressure can lead to blindness if not treated correctly. Treatment for this eye disease is initially done with eye drops that lower intraocular pressure. Thus, the disease has treatment, but it has no cure. Its incidence has been increasing and it is important to remember that it is a silent disease that can lead to blindness..

 

Cataracts are the world’s leading cause of treatable blindness. Of the 45 million people who are blind in the world, 40% are due to cataracts. In this disease, there is opacification or clouding of the crystalline lens, which is the lens of the eye, which prevents the passage of light to the retina. It can affect both elderly and adults and even children. Cataracts can occur unilaterally or bilaterally and have a variable degree of severity. It has a gradual progression, being initially asymptomatic, but as it evolves, especially after the fourth or fifth decade of life, the cataract matures, which makes the lens completely opaque to light and ends up interfering with daily activities.

 

The most frequent complaints of patients affected by cataracts are a feeling of blurred vision and reduced visual acuity. The diagnosis is made by the ophthalmologist, who will also plan the best treatment depending on the type of cataract and its stage of evolution. The treatment may be clinical, with only the use of corrective lenses and eye drops, or surgical, with surgery being the only definitive treatment for the disease..

 

Glaucoma and cataracts are eye diseases that can lead to blindness. Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, causing permanent blindness, while cataracts damage the inner lens of the eye and are resolved with surgery to replace the aforementioned lenses.

 

With the progressive increase in life expectancy, the simultaneous occurrence of glaucoma and cataracts, two entities related to the aging process, is increasingly frequent.. Faced with a glaucomatous patient whose vision is further compromised by the onset of cataracts, there are some possible ways to go:

Operate only the cataract:

 

• Some authors proclaim that, many times, it is possible to obtain a significant drop in intraocular pressure in glaucomatous eyes, only with facectomy – lens exchange in patients with cataracts. The result of ocular pressure in glaucomatous patients undergoing cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation seems to be satisfactory.

 

Operate cataract and glaucoma simultaneously

 

• The indication for combined surgery (phacotrabeculectomy) occurs when the visual impairment due to the cataract is significant and the intraocular pressure is not at adequate levels, despite the maximum medication tolerated by the patient.

Advanced glaucoma or intraocular pressure poorly controlled with drug/laser treatment should be evaluated for combined glaucoma and cataract surgery. Your surgeon may also indicate operating first the cataract and then the glaucoma or operating first the glaucoma and then the cataract, but for that the patient must undergo a careful individual evaluation to determine the best surgical strategy.

Prevention and eye care:

 

Eye Diseases are eye problems caused by many reasons, from genetic causes to habits and lifestyles. In the medium and long term they can cause, among other things, difficulty in vision and even, in more serious cases, blindness. According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), currently around 285 million people are visually impaired in the world, of which between 60% and 80% of cases can be prevented and treated.

There are several daily precautions that must be taken to protect vision and prevent possible future eye diseases. Below are the 8 main habits to be taken.

 

• Have a balanced diet: a rich and diversified diet, including dark green vegetables and legumes, fish and seeds, provides vitamins that are beneficial for the functioning of the retina;
• Be careful with the sun: wearing sunglasses reduces eye exposure to the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation;
• Beware of products that are too close to the eyes: chemicals, makeup and dyes can cause irritation and allergies in the eyes and eyelids. Always remove eye makeup before bed.
• Beware of excessive exposure to TV, computer and smartphone screens: staying in front of screens for a long time can cause dry eyes, visual fatigue and sleep disturbances;

• Beware of overuse of eye drops: self-medication should be avoided. Corticosteroids are of particular concern due to the risk of inducing glaucoma and cataracts;
• Sleep at least 8 hours a day: sleeping little can cause irritation in the eyes and visual fatigue;
• Avoid scratching your eyes: can cause irritation, eye injuries or even corneal problems. In dry weather, moisturize your eyes with lubricating eye drops;
• Seek medical help if you notice an abnormality in your vision: early diagnosis avoids complications. Have regular appointments to assess vision quality and update eyeglasses if necessary;

The post Care for Life.

Source: cuidadospelavida.com.br