In Russia, more than 100,000 people suffer from glaucoma; only 25% of Russians with glaucoma can be identified at an early stage of the disease, reported RIA Novosti President of the Russian Glaucoma Society Professor Evgeny Egorov.
Glaucoma leads to damage to the optic nerve – glaucomatous optic neuropathy. The pathology is manifested by a progressive decrease in vision up to complete blindness. The disease most often develops after 40-45 years in men and women, but congenital glaucoma also occurs. According to WHO, glaucoma is now considered the main cause of vision loss in humans.
According to Egorov, the number of cases – 100,000 people – may increase in the future due to detection and increased life expectancy. The numbers will grow, but gradually, the professor explained. More than 25% of the number of cases cannot be detected at an early stage, added the head of the Russian Glaucoma Society. He explained that previously there were special centers in Russia, and for 300,000 people “there was one glaucoma room.”
“Whereas before it was a specialized appointment, now it’s just an examination by an ophthalmologist. Well, in order to detect glaucoma at an early stage, you need to measure the level of intraocular pressure, look at the fundus and check the visual field,” he said.
