Miranza detects ocular hypertension in 12% of tested individuals in its glaucoma prevention campaign
Glaucoma is an eye condition associated with the optic nerve and is among the leading causes of deteriorating eyesight and irreversible blindness worldwide. Although it may rarely occur in eyes with normal levels of intraocular pressure, the fact is that, in an overwhelming majority of cases, it is directly related to an increase of the pressure beyond normal levels of 10 to 20 millimetres of mercury. Furthermore – and this is very important for the patient’s improvement –, it is the only risk factor of glaucoma that can be worked on, due to the progress made in the knowledge and technology that are currently available. Hence, the importance of the data obtained from this check-up.
Alarming prevalence of ocular hypertension
At Miranza, we are committed to eye health. For this reason, as part of our recent glaucoma prevention campaign, our specialists took advanced measurements of the intraocular pressure of 620 individuals in Madrid, Seville, Barcelona, Majorca, Basque Country and the Canary Islands. The results are worth noting, as they show that up to 12% of the individuals had ocular hypertension, which is high pressure of the aqueous humour, which is the liquid inside the eye. Altogether, 77 of the 620 individuals showed the most important risk factor of developing glaucoma. However, we discovered much more than this.
The data collected by our teams show that 62% of those with ocular hypertension also suffer from some kind of refractive error, such as myopia or hyperopia. The information will allow us to narrow down our focus on risk groups. Similarly, we saw another risk factor in individuals of over 60 years of age, as 46% of those with ocular hypertension are over 60, and in individuals between 40 to 60 years of age, 33% of whom have been diagnosed with high eye pressure. The conclusion is clear: Having regular check-ups is key to maintaining good eye health, and its importance grows as we age.
However, there are other risk factors. Having a family history is very important, as it is in many other diseases that affect the eyes and other parts of the body. Hence, 27% of the individuals with ocular hypertension had family members who were suffering or had suffered from glaucoma. Lastly, 16% of those affected by high eye pressure had undergone eye surgery in the past. Obviously, the collected information allows specialised centres, such as that of Miranza, to provide better care for certain groups of individuals. However, the truth is that taking a proactive approach is essential.
The importance of regular check-ups with your ophthalmologist
In other words, our specialists are here to remind you that going to an ophthalmologist for a check-up is important for everyone, especially for individuals with one or more of the aforementioned risk factors. Such individuals should pay much more attention to eye health and have regular check-ups with an ophthalmologist to monitor this vital aspect of their well-being. After all, ocular hypertension significantly increases the likeliness of developing glaucoma, which is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. A simple check-up by your ophthalmologist can change all of this.
Your ophthalmologist can help, because there are treatments that reduce intraocular pressure or, in the worst of cases, keep it steady, preventing upturns to dangerous levels. Such treatments can make a difference and prevent loss of vision caused by the damage to the optic nerve produced by the condition as it progresses. Furthermore, the experts at Miranza use in-depth monitoring of treatments to evaluate the results and to make any necessary changes to adapt to each particular detail. Eye health has a significant bearing on quality of life. The commitment of all persons can help us to preserve it.
