Glaucoma
Global Impact, Global Goals
Glaucoma is a leading cause of blindness in the world today, affecting more than 65 million people globally. A sight-threatening disease, glaucoma can cause optic nerve damage, visual field loss and even blindness when left untreated. It's of the utmost importance for those of African descent to receive glaucoma screening annually throughout life, as they are five times more likely to develop the disease. Also, individuals of African descent can develop glaucoma up to 20 years earlier than the typical age of 60. Screening for glaucoma is a simple procedure that involves the measurement of intraocular pressure (IOP) by blowing a puff of air onto the eye. Most eye care professionals will perform this test during a yearly eye exam.
Alcon is helping with new prostaglandins that can help reduce and control intraocular pressure, which when elevated increases the risk of developing glaucoma or allowing the disease to progress. Such pharmaceuticals address the global threat of glaucoma head on, hopefully bringing about a significant reduction in the occurrence of preventable blindness throughout the world.
Globally glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness, affecting 6.7 million people in 2000. 66.8 million people worldwide have glaucoma and most are not even aware of it. That number is predicted to grow past 80 by 2020.
Global causes of blindness as a percentage of total blindness (WHO Report 2002)
What Is Glaucoma?
Most patients with glaucoma have either primary open angle glaucoma or acute angle-closure glaucoma. Primary open angle glaucoma frequently has no symptoms – thus it has earned the names, "the silent blinder" and "the thief in the night," as those who go without regular screenings might someday wake up to a loss of vision. Primary open angle glaucoma is often related to a build-up of IOP, possibly due to a problem with the outflow of aqueous humor from the eye. All eyes have some IOP, which is caused by resistance to the flow of aqueous through the eye. When IOP is too high, damage to the optic nerve can result. When diagnosed early, treatment for many may involve the use of an ophthalmic solution to help lower IOP.
Another type of glaucoma is acute angle-closure glaucoma. Characterized by an acute rise in IOP, it can cause pain and a reduction in visual acuity followed by irreversible vision loss. Acute angle-closure glaucoma is considered an ocular emergency and requires immediate treatment. Often brought on by a shifting of the iris, the normally open anterior chamber angle of the eye closes. Aqueous humor that should normally drain out of the anterior chamber is trapped inside the eye, thereby increasing IOP.
The Alcon Difference
To date, there is no prevention or cure for the damage done by glaucoma. The best defense is early diagnosis and effective treatment aimed at lowering IOP to prevent damage. Alcon is proud to be at the forefront of current research in the area of such treatment with several drugs ® TRAVATAN® Ophthalmic Solution, TRAVATAN Z® Ophthalmic Solution and a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor called AZOPT® Ophthalmic Suspension that can help reduce IOP in patients with glaucoma.
As the second leading cause of vision loss in the world, glaucoma is a strong focal point for eye care companies and specialists throughout the world. New drugs and new treatments look promising in the control and treatment of this disease.
