If glaucoma is not treated, it can lead to vision loss within a few years. Treatment will slow the progression of the disease so that vision can be preserved for the rest of life. Ilmira Gazizova, Head of the Ophthalmology Department of the Institute of Human Chemistry of the Russian Academy of Sciences, a member of the European Glaucoma Association’s Committee for Cooperation with European Countries, told socialbites.ca.
“Glaucoma is an irreversible, chronic disease. And if glaucoma is left untreated, it leads to complete and irreversible blindness in 100% of cases. You can go completely blind in 5-6 years. With treatment, the deterioration in vision can last for decades, and the patient can live for a lifetime by preserving his vision.
However, there are currently no drugs that can completely stop the development of glaucoma.
“Glaucoma progresses in any case, even with treatment. That is why it is important for the patient to see a doctor and check the intraocular pressure, for timely adjustment of therapy, this will minimize the risk of blindness, ”explained Gazizova.
Read more about who is at risk of developing glaucoma and whether it can be noticed in the early stages – in material “socialbites.ca”.