HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE GLAUCOMA?
About 80 million people in the world have glaucoma. And according to the US Centers for Disease control (USCDC), about 3 million Americans have glaucoma, with most of them above 40 years old. It is the leading cause of blindness in Black Americans.
In absolute numbers, the most glaucoma patients are found in China, followed by Europe and then India. Some researchers say that Africa has the highest ratio of glaucoma patients per adult population.
But WAIT.
Since there are no early symptoms of glaucoma, about 50% of people who have glaucoma don’t know that they have the disease. So these figures appear to be much more than what is quoted in the literature.
The Question is whether you have glaucoma or not.
Normal Eye with no glaucoma. Note the small cupping in the optic disk.
SO HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU HAVE GLAUCOMA
-By having an eye examination by an Eye Doctor, an Optician, Ophthalmic Nurse or in any Medical Facility. (1) Your eye pressure will be checked (2) Your optic nerve will be examined, often after drops are put into your eye to dilate the pupils. The pupils are the openings in the front part of your eyeball.
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AND WHAT IF I HAVE GLAUCOMA
Eye with glaucoma: Note the large cupping within the optic disk.
All attempts will be made to reduce the pressure in the eye through:
1. EYE DROPS: You will be given some eye drops to bring the eye pressure down
2. LASER TREATMENT You may undergo treatment with a laser after local anesthesia to facilitate drainage of aqueous fluid from the eye.
3. CONVENTIONAL SURGERY: You may undergo surgery to drain holes in the iris or the Trabecular meshwork to facilitate the drainage of aqueous fluid from the eye.
If you need help or further information, please contact an eye clinic or a hospital.
