Vienna Health Association: Together against creeping blindness! | PID press

Around 90,000 glaucoma sufferers in Austria.

Vienna (OTS) – Glaucoma – formerly known as glaucoma – is the most common disease of the optic nerve. Around 90,000 people in Austria are affected, the number of unreported cases is significantly higher. “In the case of glaucoma, the optic nerve is chronically and irreversibly damaged,” explains associate professor Katharina Krepler, head of the eye departments at Klinik Landstraße and Donaustadt. Without treatment, there is a risk of severe visual impairment and even blindness. In order to treat the disease in time, regular check-ups are essential. World Glaucoma Day on March 12 commemorates this.

Insidious Progression: Vision is slowly lost

With glaucoma, parts of the visual field – that is, the area of ​​vision that you can see without moving your eyes – are gradually lost. In the late stage only a small area remains. The disease is insidious. The insidious thing: “The defects in the visual field are not noticed by those affected by glaucoma for a very long time because they can still see and read clearly,” explains Krepler. “Only in the final stage does the central visual acuity also noticeably decrease”, “but then a large part of the optic nerve has already died and there is a risk of blindness”.

Important early detection: Regular preventive care

Glaucoma can affect anyone. In addition to increased eye pressure, blood pressure fluctuations, diabetes mellitus, severe short-sightedness or far-sightedness, glaucoma diseases in the family are also risk factors. In addition, the risk of contracting the disease increases significantly with age. Krepler therefore advises: “From the age of 40, a glaucoma check-up should be carried out by an ophthalmologist at regular intervals.”

timely therapy

There are different therapy options to alleviate the symptoms of glaucoma. “They range from eye drops to various surgical procedures,” explains Krepler. In the Vienna Health Association alone, more than 250 glaucoma operations were performed last year. However, glaucoma is not curable. “The disease” accompanies those affected throughout their lives. In order to preserve eyesight, Krepler, g runs e interventions and treat are regular, the r is also a walk. Therefore, in addition to long-term treatment, close monitoring is also crucial after the diagnosis,” explains Krepler.

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Mag.a Anne Frankenberg-Freimann
Vienna Health Association
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