China News Service, Beijing, March 6th March 6th is "World Glaucoma Day".
Glaucoma is an eye disease mainly caused by aqueous humor circulation disorder.
Ge Jian, a professor at the Zhongshan Ophthalmology Center of Sun Yat-sen University, pointed out in a lecture on the prevention and treatment of glaucoma that glaucoma is the second most common blind eye disease in the world and the first irreversible blind eye disease. If not actively treated, it will cause blindness.
Although there are continuous new developments in the treatment of glaucoma, the blindness rate of glaucoma patients remains high. The whole society should improve its understanding of glaucoma.
Pictured is a vision test.
Photo by Zhang Tianfu
Glaucoma patients in China are getting younger
Is age related to glaucoma patients?
Many people’s first reaction is that “this is a disease only experienced by the elderly.” Recently, the Henan Provincial Health Commission reminded that glaucoma can occur at any age.
The overall portrait of glaucoma patients in China presented in the "White Paper on Comprehensive Prevention, Treatment and Management of Glaucoma" released in 2023 shows that the prevalence of glaucoma in China is related to age but is trending younger.
The increased risk of glaucoma among adolescents is closely related to their eye-use habits and lifestyle. The high-frequency use of electronic products such as mobile phones, tablets, and computers has left the eyes in a state of overuse for a long time.
Lifestyles such as overeating, overtime work, and mood swings may lead to increased intraocular pressure, leading to acute glaucoma.
Which groups are susceptible to glaucoma?
Which characteristic groups need to be more vigilant about glaucoma?
The "White Paper on Comprehensive Prevention and Management of Glaucoma" compiled by the Shanghai Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Center, the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan University and others found that glaucoma has a high proportion of comorbidities with other chronic diseases.
Glaucoma is mainly primary glaucoma, and 56.54% of glaucoma patients have other chronic diseases.
According to reminders from the health department, people over 40 years old, with a family history of glaucoma, combined with myopia of more than 600 degrees, systemic diseases and diabetes are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma.
Doctor performs vision test on elderly people.
(Information photo) Photo by Zhong Xin
It’s preventable and controllable, but early diagnosis and early treatment are needed
The diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma has always been a hot and difficult issue in the field of ophthalmology.
Currently, glaucoma can be treated with drugs, laser, and surgery.
The "14th Five-Year Plan National Eye Health Plan (2021-2025)" issued by the National Health Commission clearly states that it is necessary to improve the ability of early diagnosis and treatment of fundus diseases, glaucoma and other eye diseases.
Many ophthalmologists have reminded that glaucoma is preventable, controllable and not scary, but ignoring it may lead to irreversible blindness.
The key is to diagnose and treat problems early.
According to relevant popular science posts released by the Shanghai Association for Science and Technology, the incidence of glaucoma is often hidden.
An acute attack of glaucoma can manifest as a sharp increase in intraocular pressure, and patients may present with symptoms such as eye pain, eye swelling, redness, decreased vision, headache, nausea and vomiting, and rainbow vision.
Intraocular pressure is an important indicator for judging glaucoma. Sustained high intraocular pressure will cause irreversible damage to the visual function of the eyeball, which will lead to visual field loss, optic nerve atrophy, vision loss and other problems.
Liu Yizhi, an expert in the National Health Science Expert Database and chief physician of the Zhongshan Ophthalmology Center of Sun Yat-sen University, once said at a World Glaucoma Week-related event that controlling intraocular pressure to a safe range is an important indicator of effective glaucoma treatment.
In addition, mood swings, overwork, and staying in dark environments for too long are also important triggers of glaucoma.
Ge Jian, a professor at the Zhongshan Ophthalmology Center of Sun Yat-sen University, pointed out that you should take good care of your eyes, including closing your eyes for half an hour every day and meditating. This can regulate intraocular pressure and protect the optic nerve. At the same time, you must also ensure sleep time.