Many people are familiar with the terms cataract and glaucoma. The health tip explains how these two eye diseases differ and why it's important to have regular check-ups.
Cataracts and glaucoma are different eye conditions, with different symptoms and treatment options. While cataracts are usually treatable and vision can be restored, this is not generally possible with glaucoma.
What is a cataract?
A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye and mainly occurs as you get older. Cataracts can occur in people as young as 40 but are most common among over-65s. Besides the natural ageing process, risk factors for cataracts include exposure to intense UV radiation, smoking, long-term use of corticosteroids, diabetes and family history.
Typical cataract symptoms:
- Blurred or cloudy vision (like looking through a veil)
- Reduced visual acuity
- Colours appear pale
- Increased sensitivity to light, for example when driving at night
- Difficulty seeing in dim light
- Impaired spatial perception
Treatment options for cataracts
There are no drugs that can treat cataracts. However, they can be treated by surgery, which involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial one. This is a routine procedure, and in the vast majority of cases produces a significant improvement in the patient’s eyesight. It is important to take changes in your vision seriously and get them checked out promptly.
What is glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a chronic condition of the optic nerve. It is often caused by increased pressure inside the eye, but other factors can include circulation problems or extreme visual impairment. Glaucoma is an insidious disease that develops slowly and can go unnoticed for a long time, as it is not usually accompanied by any pain. Left untreated, it can result in irreversible damage to the optic nerve and eventually blindness. Glaucoma is diagnosed by examining the pressure inside the eye, the field of vision and the optic nerve.
Risk factors for glaucoma:
- Aged over 50
- Severe short-sightedness or long-sightedness (over four dioptres)
- Family history of glaucoma
- Smoking
- High blood pressure or very low blood pressure
Glaucoma symptoms
There are usually no symptoms in the early stages of glaucoma. Blind spots in the field of vision or visual impairments only occur as the condition progresses. Since any associated loss of vision is usually irreversible, early detection is crucial.
Treatment of glaucoma
The aim of treatment is to reduce the pressure inside the eye and slow the progression of the disease. This can be done with eye drops or tablets or, if necessary, through surgery. Treatment is tailored to the needs of each patient and monitored on a regularly.
Why are eye examinations important for prevention?
Since eye diseases can begin insidiously and with no symptoms, regular check-ups by an ophthalmologist are essential. Dr Silke Schmitt Oggier, Medical Director at santé24, says: “For this reason, and precisely because the risk of glaucoma increases massively with age, you should have a preventive check-up with an ophthalmologist every five years from the age of 50 onwards, or even sooner and more frequently where there are also associated risk factors.” This ensures that any changes can be detected and treated at an early stage.
