60% to 80% of blindness cases worldwide are preventable. Find out which diseases can lead to blindness reversibly and irreversibly
We’re inside April Brown, month of prevention, fight against and rehabilitation of different types of blindness. The campaign is essential, as most cases of vision loss are treatable if diagnosed early. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 60% to 80% of blindness cases are preventable.
This is the case of glaucoma in which there is a slow loss of the visual field without presenting any symptoms and, generally, it appears after the age of 40. According to the WHO, there are approximately 39 million blind people in the world today, of which 82% are over 50 years old.
Furthermore, according to the latest IBGE census, which collected data from 2022, 3.1% of Brazilians, or 6.3 million, cannot see at all even when wearing glasses. Many of these cases are the consequence of diseases that affect vision in a degenerative way, such as glaucoma.
The problem, says Dr. Leôncio Queiroz Neto, ophthalmologist at the Penido Burnier Institute in Campinas, is that many diseases are only noticed in an advanced stage.
Causes of blindness
According to the ophthalmologist of the CBV – Hospital de Olhos, Dr. Pedro Lima, the causes of blindness are numerous. Although the problem is more common in people over the age of 50, vision loss can affect all age groups: from newborns with congenital glaucoma, congenital cataracts, retinopathy of prematurity and intraocular tumors, among others.
“In some patients, these pathologies can lead to cases of irreversible blindness, depending on the speed of diagnosis, as well as the timeliness of treatment/severity of the disease,” explains the specialist.
According to Pedro, the main causes of blindness today are:
- Cataract;
- Glaucoma;
- Diabetic retinopathy;
- Age-related macular degeneration;
- Retinal detachment.
Cataracts are the leading cause of reversible blindness in Brazil and worldwide, while glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness.
Symptoms of vision problems
The main symptom of the onset of a case of blindness is reduction of vision. “The individual begins to complain of a partial or total reduction in visual acuity, slowly or suddenly. However, it is always recommended to consult an ophthalmologist when these symptoms appear,” warns the specialist.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma represents a serious problem because the disease has no symptoms. This means that half of those with the condition reach the top Request with irreversible loss of visual field, warns Dr. Leôncio.
Diagnosis is made using tonometry, which measures intraocular pressure, fundus examination, and campimetry, which measures the visual field. As for treatment, Leôncio points to the application of laser as first-line therapy for the condition.
“Most patients use two to three eye drops a day to control intraocular pressure. Stopping drug treatment can lead to vision loss,” says the specialist.
However, it is secondary glaucoma caused by trauma, hypertension, or diabetes that most often causes vision loss.
The ophthalmologist points out that the condition can also be hereditary, especially among blacks and Asians, or result from high myopia, hollowing of the optic nerve, bleeding in the back of the eye, or trauma. hypertension and diabetes.
Treatments and accessibility
Dr. Pedro Lima emphasizes that the treatment of blindness will depend on a case-by-case basis. This is because there are reversible and irreversible diseases, as already mentioned. “The type of disease and its stage at the time of diagnosis are decisive factors for treatment,” says the doctor.
Diseases such as glaucoma, some cases of macular degeneration and retinal detachments can be treated without partial or total cure. Cataracts, in the vast majority of cases, are almost always treated with the implantation of intraocular lenses.
The doctor also highlights that 2021 marked an important milestone in ophthalmological health. This is because Law 14.126 classified monocular vision as a sensory, visual disability. Therefore, patients with blindness in one eye are classified as PWD (person with disability).
“With this they can enjoy all the rights. That is, free interstate transportation, tax breaks on income tax and vehicle purchase, among others,” concludes Pedro.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
