Blind disease glaucoma, normal intraocular pressure is not reassuring...Periodic examination required after 40's
Mar 16, 2025
Glaucoma is a disease in which the optic nerve is damaged and the visual field becomes narrower, and there are few symptoms of self-awareness in the early stages, so it is called 「'noiseless vision thief'. By the time the patient feels abnormal, there are many cases where fatal visual damage has already occurred.
Many patients often miss the treatment period as they do not visit the hospital because they are not aware of symptoms in the early stages, or are diagnosed belatedly only after noticeable vision loss. Periodic examinations are especially necessary after the 40s when the risk of optic nerve damage increases.
◇One of the top three real names...Even normal intraocular pressure doesn't make you feel safe
The second week of March every year is 'World Glaucoma Week' designated by the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and the World Glaucoma Patient Association (WGPA). The purpose is to inform the risk of glaucoma and the importance of early detection, and to emphasize the need for regular checkups to prevent blindness. In Korea, medical institutions and societies are raising awareness of glaucoma through various activities.
Glaucoma is considered one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. It is a representative cause of visual impairment along with diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. In Korea, it also accounts for a significant number of causes of blindness. As life expectancy increases, the incidence of glaucoma is also increasing. It is often detected early through medical examinations, but it is still neglected because there are few self-awareness symptoms.
Normal eye pressure glaucoma is common in Korea. This refers to cases in which the optic nerve is damaged even if the intraocular pressure is within the normal range. If this is not detected early, the opportunity to slow down the progress may be missed, so more caution is needed.
According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of glaucoma patients in Korea has steadily increased, rising nearly 20% in four years from 970,000 in 2019 to 1.19 million in 2023. As we enter an aging society, the number of patients is expected to continue to increase in the future.
Glaucoma is known to be the main cause of increased intraocular pressure, but it is not a disease that can be diagnosed by simply increasing intraocular pressure. Major risk factors include age, family history, and myopia. In particular, East Asians are reported to have a higher genetic vulnerability to intraocular pressure than other races. The more myopia, the higher the risk of developing glaucoma. This is because myopia weakens the optic nerve structurally and makes it sensitive to pressure. Since it is difficult to detect glaucoma early with simple intraocular pressure tests, it is important to combine regular visual field tests, optic nerve tests, and light interferometry (OCT).
Glaucoma cannot be cured. Treatment is just about suppressing the progression of the disease as much as possible and maintaining the current visual function. Lowering intraocular pressure is the basis of treatment. To this end, drug treatment through eye drops is first recommended, and laser treatment or surgical treatment is considered as necessary. Recently, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, which has fewer side effects and recovers faster than conventional surgery, has been developed, and treatment options have been diversified.
As the treatment technology for glaucoma develops, there are also more precise test methods. It is a technology that analyzes the density of blood vessels around the optic nerve through light interference tomography (OCT-A).
◇ Research on diagnosis and treatment methods is active...Don't smoke and exercise your muscles
The prospect of future treatment is also positive. Early diagnosis studies of glaucoma using artificial intelligence (AI) are also actively underway, and new glaucoma treatments and complex eye drops are actively being developed. Surgical treatments that are less burdensome and faster to recover than conventional surgical methods are also continuously being studied.
Lifestyle is also very important. Smoking accelerates optic nerve damage and should be stopped. Caffeine can temporarily increase intraocular pressure, so it is recommended to drink less than two cups a day. Yoga downward, upside-down exercises, and strength exercises that require excessive abdominal pressure can increase intraocular pressure, so be careful. On the other hand, proper aerobic and light muscle exercises help protect the optic nerve. Sleep posture can also affect glaucoma progression. For patients with severe glaucoma in one eye, it is necessary to check whether they have a habit of sleeping with that eye down.
Park Chan-geum, director of the Good Eye Hospital Eye Center, said, `Many patients sometimes delay or give up treatment due to the burden of having to use medicine for the rest of their lives.'"If you are in your 40s or older, it is recommended to visit an ophthalmologist at least once for a glaucoma test." he advised.
Many patients often miss the treatment period as they do not visit the hospital because they are not aware of symptoms in the early stages, or are diagnosed belatedly only after noticeable vision loss. Periodic examinations are especially necessary after the 40s when the risk of optic nerve damage increases.
◇One of the top three real names...Even normal intraocular pressure doesn't make you feel safe
The second week of March every year is 'World Glaucoma Week' designated by the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and the World Glaucoma Patient Association (WGPA). The purpose is to inform the risk of glaucoma and the importance of early detection, and to emphasize the need for regular checkups to prevent blindness. In Korea, medical institutions and societies are raising awareness of glaucoma through various activities.
Glaucoma is considered one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. It is a representative cause of visual impairment along with diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration. In Korea, it also accounts for a significant number of causes of blindness. As life expectancy increases, the incidence of glaucoma is also increasing. It is often detected early through medical examinations, but it is still neglected because there are few self-awareness symptoms.
Normal eye pressure glaucoma is common in Korea. This refers to cases in which the optic nerve is damaged even if the intraocular pressure is within the normal range. If this is not detected early, the opportunity to slow down the progress may be missed, so more caution is needed.
According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, the number of glaucoma patients in Korea has steadily increased, rising nearly 20% in four years from 970,000 in 2019 to 1.19 million in 2023. As we enter an aging society, the number of patients is expected to continue to increase in the future.
Glaucoma is known to be the main cause of increased intraocular pressure, but it is not a disease that can be diagnosed by simply increasing intraocular pressure. Major risk factors include age, family history, and myopia. In particular, East Asians are reported to have a higher genetic vulnerability to intraocular pressure than other races. The more myopia, the higher the risk of developing glaucoma. This is because myopia weakens the optic nerve structurally and makes it sensitive to pressure. Since it is difficult to detect glaucoma early with simple intraocular pressure tests, it is important to combine regular visual field tests, optic nerve tests, and light interferometry (OCT).
Glaucoma cannot be cured. Treatment is just about suppressing the progression of the disease as much as possible and maintaining the current visual function. Lowering intraocular pressure is the basis of treatment. To this end, drug treatment through eye drops is first recommended, and laser treatment or surgical treatment is considered as necessary. Recently, minimally invasive glaucoma surgery, which has fewer side effects and recovers faster than conventional surgery, has been developed, and treatment options have been diversified.
As the treatment technology for glaucoma develops, there are also more precise test methods. It is a technology that analyzes the density of blood vessels around the optic nerve through light interference tomography (OCT-A).
◇ Research on diagnosis and treatment methods is active...Don't smoke and exercise your muscles
The prospect of future treatment is also positive. Early diagnosis studies of glaucoma using artificial intelligence (AI) are also actively underway, and new glaucoma treatments and complex eye drops are actively being developed. Surgical treatments that are less burdensome and faster to recover than conventional surgical methods are also continuously being studied.
Lifestyle is also very important. Smoking accelerates optic nerve damage and should be stopped. Caffeine can temporarily increase intraocular pressure, so it is recommended to drink less than two cups a day. Yoga downward, upside-down exercises, and strength exercises that require excessive abdominal pressure can increase intraocular pressure, so be careful. On the other hand, proper aerobic and light muscle exercises help protect the optic nerve. Sleep posture can also affect glaucoma progression. For patients with severe glaucoma in one eye, it is necessary to check whether they have a habit of sleeping with that eye down.
Park Chan-geum, director of the Good Eye Hospital Eye Center, said, `Many patients sometimes delay or give up treatment due to the burden of having to use medicine for the rest of their lives.'"If you are in your 40s or older, it is recommended to visit an ophthalmologist at least once for a glaucoma test." he advised.
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This article was translated by Naver AI translator.
