Eye pressure exams help
prevent glaucoma

The eyes are not only the windows of the soul it is also our window to the world around us. Results of a new global survey sponsored by Pfizer Opthalmics and supported by the World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patient Association show that the need to have regular eye examinations is often neglected by the aging population.

Although updated studies have yet to be completed, glaucoma specialists in the Philippines also find the same problem as shown in their experience of "discovering" glaucoma at advanced stages from patients who were not aware of the signs of the disease in its early stages.

Experts warn that glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness but unlike cataracts which can be removed, glaucoma is irreversible once it starts. It is an eye disease wherein the nerve cells in the retina at the back of the eye slowly die and result in progressive damage to the optic nerve. The optic nerve is responsible for sending visual information from the eye to the brain and damage to this nerve prevents some signals from the eye to reach the brain. This results in a reduced field of vision and if not managed properly, can lead to irreversible blindness.

However, the progression of glaucoma may be halted or delayed with treatment. The goal of the treatment is to preserve the remaining vision and the options are medical, laser and/ or surgical treatments. The appropriate type of cure will be determined by the ophthalmologist, depending on the glaucoma.

Medical treatment is the most common form with different medications available, mostly in eye drops that contain one or both of two active ingredients, latanoprost and timolol maleate.