Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive disease whose causes are still unknown. It affects the optic nerve and it is the second cause of visual disability in the world.
Professor Paolo Vinciguerra, Supervisor of the Eyecare Center at Humanitas, explains, “Glaucoma manifests itself by means of three factors. Elevated eye pressure, deterioration of the optic nerve, damaging of the visual field. The co-presence of these three factors is required in order to diagnose glaucoma. Glaucoma is often diagnosed late, and the social impact of this ailment is severe”.
How is Glaucoma Diagnosed?
“There are no preventive strategies to avoid the onset of glaucoma, as is the case with other eye ailments. However, an early diagnosis is paramount. It allows us to stay one step ahead and to make patients undergo less invasive, less damaging therapies”, Professor Vinciguerra points out.
In the case of glaucoma, high-tech advanced diagnostics are able to predict the evolution of eyesight and visual field. They give useful information to the specialist about the most appropriate treatment.
How can we cure Glaucoma?
The therapy initially requires the administration of eye drops. If they do not succeed to lower the intraocular pressure or the visual field damages, we perform a surgical operation (trabeculectomy) or similar treatments (such with a laser).
“Valve implants are also effective. Especially for patients with advanced glaucoma or for those who did not benefit from the traditional surgical operation. These implants are used to treat patients who could undergo a surgical operation, making it much less invasive thanks to new technologies and allowing an almost immediate recovery.
It is a new, less invasive operation, that makes use of draining valves to release pressure on the ill eye in order to restore the right pressure levels”, Prof. Vinciguerra explains.
