Glaucoma is an ophthalmic disease mainly caused by aqueous humor circulation disorders. Professor Ge Jian from the Sun Yat sen Ophthalmology Center at Sun Yat sen University once pointed out in a lecture on the prevention and treatment of glaucoma that glaucoma is the second most common blindness and the first irreversible blindness in the world. If not actively treated, it can lead to blindness. Although there have been new advances in the treatment of glaucoma, the blindness rate of glaucoma patients still remains high, and the whole society should raise awareness of glaucoma.
Chinese glaucoma patients are showing a trend towards younger age groups
Is glaucoma related to age? Even the first reaction of many people is that "this is a disease that only elderly people will get." Recently, the Henan Provincial Health Commission reminded that glaucoma can occur at any age. The overall portrait of Chinese glaucoma patients presented in the "White Paper on Comprehensive Prevention and Treatment Management of Glaucoma" released in 2023 shows that the incidence of glaucoma in China is related to age but shows a trend towards younger age groups.
The risk of glaucoma is increased among young people, which is closely related to their eye habits and lifestyle. The frequent use of electronic devices such as mobile phones, tablets, and computers leads to long-term overuse of the eyes. However, lifestyle factors such as overeating, overtime, and emotional fluctuations can all lead to elevated intraocular pressure, leading to acute glaucoma.
Which groups of people are more susceptible to glaucoma
Which characteristic groups need to be more vigilant about glaucoma? The White Paper on Comprehensive Prevention and Treatment Management of Glaucoma, compiled by Shanghai Eye Disease Prevention and Treatment Center, Fudan University Affiliated Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital, and others, found that the proportion of comorbidities between glaucoma and other chronic diseases is high. Glaucoma is mainly primary glaucoma, and 56.54% of glaucoma patients have other chronic diseases. According to the reminder of the health department, people over 40 years old, with a family history of glaucoma, with myopia of more than 600 degrees, with systemic diseases and diabetes have a higher risk of glaucoma.
Can be prevented and controlled, but early diagnosis and treatment are necessary
The diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma has always been a hot and difficult topic in the field of ophthalmology. Currently, glaucoma can be treated through medication, laser, and surgery. The National Health Commission has issued the "14th Five Year Plan for National Eye Health (2021-2025)", which specifies the need to improve the early diagnosis and treatment capabilities of eye diseases such as fundus diseases and glaucoma. Numerous ophthalmologists suggest that glaucoma can be prevented, controlled, and not scary, but ignoring it may lead to irreversible blindness. The key is to diagnose and treat problems early.
According to relevant science popularization articles released by the Shanghai Association for Science and Technology, the incidence of glaucoma is often hidden. During an acute attack of glaucoma, it can manifest as a sharp increase in intraocular pressure. Patients may experience symptoms such as eye pain, eye bloating, redness, decreased vision, headache, nausea and vomiting, and visual impairment.
Intraocular pressure is an important indicator for judging glaucoma. Prolonged high intraocular pressure can cause irreversible damage to visual function, leading to problems such as visual field loss, optic nerve atrophy, and decreased vision. Liu Yizhi, an expert from the National Health Science Popularization Expert Database and the chief physician of the Zhongshan Ophthalmology Center at Sun Yat sen University, once stated in a related theme event of World Glaucoma Week that controlling intraocular pressure to a safe range is an important indicator of effective glaucoma treatment.
In addition, emotional fluctuations, excessive fatigue, and prolonged exposure to dim lighting are also important triggering factors for glaucoma. Professor Ge Jian from the Sun Yat sen Ophthalmology Center at Sun Yat sen University pointed out that one should take good care of their eyes in daily life, including closing their eyes for half an hour every day for meditation. This can regulate eye pressure, protect the optic nerve, and at the same time, ensure adequate sleep time.
