Glaucoma is the main cause of irreversible blindness in the world

It is estimated that glaucoma affects more than 3% of the Spanish population. Together with diabetes, this condition is the main cause of irreversible blindness in the world. It is a progressive ocular condition that damages the optic nerve. At the first stages, it reduces the visual field and the quality of eyesight progressing until it causes total blindness at the most severe stages. "The most demanding challenge posed by this condition is that people suffering from it do not perceive nor feel there is anything wrong with their eyesight. For this reason, glaucoma is commonly known as the silent thief of sight", as Doctor Nabil Ragei Kamel, the Head of the Ophthalmology Unit of the Quirónsalud Marbella Hospital explains.

Glaucoma happens when an excess of fluid accumulates on the front side of the eye, obstructing the ocular drainage channel. The accumulation of this fluid increases the pressure in the eye and damages the optical nerve. Although at the initial stages of the condition, eyesight is not affected, "it is necessary to find the suitable therapy to prevent the increase of pressure as any damages will be permanent".

With regards to the profile of patients suffering from glaucoma, there are risk factors such as old age, shortsightedness, uncontrolled diabetes, insufficient blood circulation, smoking, ethnical origin and family history. In the latest case, Doctor Nabil Ragei Kamel points out the need to "undergo regular ophthalmology checkups, specially from the age of 40. Relatives of glaucoma patients must undergo regular checkups in order to detect it at its initial stages. The sooner glaucoma is diagnosed, the higher the probabilities to keep it under control and adhering to the relevant treatment".

Although there is no cure for the damage caused by glaucoma, treatments have been developed to prevent its progress. There are several options that can be selected depending on the stage of the condition, i.e., eye drops, outpatient selective laser treatment, minimally-invasive glaucoma surgery using micro stents and more invasive glaucoma surgery such as trabeculectomy and tube-shunt surgery.

Monographic presentation

The purpose of the presentation offered by Doctor Nabil Ragei Kamel this month during the cycle of lectures organised by Casa México in Malaga and Andalusia in Marbella was to answer all the questions on glaucoma and other ocular pathologies. The president of the association is Claudia Luna Palencia, who is a prominent Hispano-Mexican economist and writer. During this forum, our specialist spoke about the most prevalent conditions affecting the eye and the current treatments, as well as the most advanced surgical techniques. Within this framework, the attendees had the opportunity to obtain first-hand answers to their questions and concerns by the expert from our hospital in Marbella.

Doctor Nabil Ragei Kamel is the Head of the Ophthalmology Unit of the Quirónsalud Marbella, Quirónsalud Campo de Gibraltar, Quirónsalud San José and Quirónsalud Toledo hospitals. He is the leader of the medical project of the Advanced Ophthalmology Centre on the Costa del Sol, which specialises in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of conditions associated with eyesight, as well as their management and research, offering an answer to eyesight issues found in patients of all ages.