The Ministry of Health of Crimea: After 40 years, a preventive examination by an ophthalmologist should be held annually

The specialist notes that the main task of ophthalmologists is to identify the disease in the earliest stages to preserve high visual acuity to patients.

The quality of life of the patient directly correlates with visual acuity, in connection with which, if the doctor is suspected by the gland, he directs to additional diagnostic measures— the doctor explained.

Glaucoma — a group of chronic diseases of the eyes of various etiologies with a common symptom complex (impaired hydromechanics of the eye, instability of intraocular pressure, an increase in the level of ophthalmotonus, atrophy of the optic nerve with the formation of glaucomone of excavation and the deterioration of optic functions). Glaucoma is the second cause of blindness in the world (after cataracts), however, this nosology takes the first place among diseases leading to an irreversible loss of visual functions.

The lack of complaints of the patient, the complexity of diagnosis at the initial stage, a chronic progressive course, that is, the progression of the disease, leading to loss of performance and disability, as well as the significant costs of the patient and the state as a whole allow us to talk about glaucoma as socio-economic disease, ”said Elena Zhivlazova.

At risk for glaucoma disease — patients with hypertensive and hypotonic diseases, atherosclerosis and diabetes. Also, risk factors are an increased level of intraocular pressure, family history, the presence of concomitant eye pathology.

The cornerstone of the prevention of most diseases is a modification of the lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle reduces the risk of arterial hypertension and diabetes, the presence of which in turn can become a trigger for the development of glaucoma— emphasizes the doctor.

The specialist also notes that the high level of cooperation between the doctor and the patient is the key to success in the treatment of this disease.

Medicine at this stage of its development allows you to maintain high -quality vision in patients with glaucoma for many years. Only coordinated work and understanding of the responsibility of each side allow you to control this serious illness, ”the ophthalmologist said.

Source: press service of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Crimea