An ophthalmologist claimed yesterday that half of Taiwan's 150,000 glaucoma patients do not know they have the disease, the nation's second leading cause of blindness.
"The primary cause of blindness in Taiwan is diabetic retinopathy," said Lu Dar-wen (
According to Lu, the eye disease is common among people middle-aged and older.
"But the initial symptoms of glaucoma are not obvious," said Lu.
"Even people with normal vision can be glaucoma patients," warned Lu.
To discover the disease as early as possible, Lu suggested people over the age of 35 have an annual eye check.
"The major four types of glaucoma are primary angle closure glaucoma, primary open angle glaucoma, congenital glaucoma and secondary glaucoma," said Lu.
According to Lu, most Asians, particularly Chinese and Japanese, tend to suffer primary angle closure glaucoma, with women having a higher infection rate than men.
Lu said, as acute primary angle closure glaucoma occurs, pressure inside the eye would suddenly increase.
"Patients would suffer symptoms such as headaches, vomiting, swollen eyes and blurred vision," Lu said.
Lu warned if the patients do not seek immediate treatment, they may become blind within one or two days.
According to Lu, the main cause of glaucoma is damage to the optic nerve. "Many people's vision remains very clear when they are in the initial stages of glaucoma," said Lu.
Lu said people suffering from diabetes, high pressure, anemia and atherosclerosis are more at risk of the disease.
"Those who have severe myopia or those whose family members suffer from glaucoma also need to be careful," said Lu.
Lu added that people who tend to be nervous, excited, angry, depressed or pessimistic are more likely to have glaucoma.
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