Myths about glaucoma

15/03/2018

How much do you know about this degenerative eye disease? We present some common myths about glaucoma.

Myth: Glaucoma can be cured.

Fact: Currently there is no cure for glaucoma, but early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help delay the progression of the disease.

Myth: Only older people develop glaucoma.

Reality: Although it usually appears in people older than 60 years, even a baby can develop glaucoma.

Myth: The symptoms of glaucoma are easily detected.

Reality: Most cases of glaucoma are asymptomatic, so it is possible not to detect it until an advanced stage is reached.

Myth: The loss of vision as a result of glaucoma can be recovered.

Fact: The effects of glaucoma are irreversible. Once vision is lost because of glaucoma, it cannot be recovered.

Myth: Glaucoma is responsible for only a small part of blindness worldwide.

Fact: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide.

American Optometric Association. Glaucoma. http: //www.aoa.org/Glaucoma.xml.

American Academy of Ophthalmology Glaucoma Panel. Preferred Practice Pattern® Guidelines. Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma. San Francisco, CA: 2010.

Tham YC, Li X, Wong Ty et al. Global prevalence of glaucoma and projecttions of glaucoma burden through 2040: a systematic review and meta-analysis . Opthalmology 2014; 121 (11): 2081-2090.