Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness in the world. This eye disease often has no visible symptoms and can affect your vision without you even realizing it. Favored by celebrities bonolead singer of U2, supermodel Christie BrinkleyFor example, people who were diagnosed with glaucoma during a routine exam were surprised to find that they showed no signs of vision loss. Apart from these, there are other famous names such as: whoopi goldberg, andrea bocelli, brown and former soccer player edgar davits They, too, faced the disease without noticing the first signs.
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The fact that celebrities have been diagnosed without even noticing the symptoms emphasizes the importance of having regular eye exams, even if your vision is normal. “Glaucoma progresses silently. Patients can see normally, but they lose their peripheral vision without realizing it,” explains Daniela Silveira Faria, a specialist with 20 years of experience in treating the disease.
How does glaucoma affect vision?
The disease occurs when the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting images captured by the eye to the brain, begins to become damaged. This occurs due to increased intraocular pressure caused by insufficient drainage of fluid within the eye. This increased pressure compresses the optic nerve, causing damage that impairs vision over time.
“While high intraocular pressure is the main risk factor for glaucoma, the disease can occur even when intraocular pressure is within the normal range, such as in normal-tension glaucoma,” Dr. Daniela emphasizes.
Glaucoma can affect anyone, but the risk increases with age and the presence of factors such as family history, high myopia, and long-term use of corticosteroids. Early diagnosis is essential because in the early stages, the disease can be controlled with simpler treatments.
“The only way to identify glaucoma early is to have a complete eye exam,” the specialist added.
Celebrities diagnosed late
Over the years, several celebrities have discovered they have glaucoma without showing any obvious symptoms. In addition to Bono and Christie Brinkley, singer Marrone was also diagnosed with an advanced disease and had to undergo emergency surgery. comedian bill cosby and an astronaut John Glenn They, too, faced the disease without knowing they were at risk. Even the singer Elvis Presley and the composers johann sebastian bach and georg friedrich handel He was suffering from this eye disease.
Therefore, unrecognized symptoms at an early stage is one of the biggest challenges in combating glaucoma. Early diagnosis is even more important because often people only realize something is wrong after they have already lost a significant portion of their vision.
Treatment: How can the disease be controlled?
Treatment for glaucoma depends on the stage at which the disease is identified. In early cases, certain eye drops and laser treatments can be used to control eye pressure. When glaucoma progresses further, it is possible to resort to surgical treatment, which is becoming increasingly efficient and less invasive. However, the goal of any treatment is always the same. Lost vision cannot be restored, so the goal is to stop the progression of the disease.
“Continuous monitoring is essential, as lost vision cannot be regained. Our main aim is to prevent complete vision loss,” Dr. Daniela emphasizes. In more serious cases like Marrone’s, emergency surgery may be required to treat, highlighting the importance of seeking medical attention as soon as you notice any changes.
Dr. Daniela Silveira Faria warns that the number of glaucoma patients is likely to increase as the population lives longer. The good news is that this disease can be controlled if identified in time.
“Glaucoma is a silent disease, but if diagnosed early, it can be successfully treated and vision can be preserved,” he says. In its early stages, the disease may go unnoticed by even the most careful patient, so regular eye exams are the best prevention method.
As medical science advances, treatment options have become increasingly effective and less invasive. However, the greatest weapon against blindness due to glaucoma remains early detection, which directly depends on regular care and monitoring by professionals.
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