A 21-year-old woman has suffered from glaucoma for more than 10 years. Doctors: Once diagnosed, lifelong follow-up examinations are required to prevent blindness

The second week of March every year is World Glaucoma Week. This year's March 10-16 is the 17th World Glaucoma Week. This year's theme is: Jointly manage chronic glaucoma and keep the light forever.

Xiao Hu, 21 years old this year, is an "old patient" of glaucoma. He was diagnosed with developmental glaucoma more than ten years ago. He had surgery in 2021 and has been taking medication and checking regularly so far, and his intraocular pressure is well controlled. "The hospital calls or WeChats me to remind me to check every once in a while, and there are popular science lectures from time to time. This disease is a lifelong disease, and it cannot be taken lightly. You must follow the doctor's orders and take medication and check on time." On March 12, at the "Co-management of Chronic Glaucoma, Keeping Bright Forever" event held at the Aier Eye Hospital Affiliated to Wuhan University, Xiao Hu said to other patients.

At the event, ophthalmologists said that glaucoma is similar to high blood pressure and diabetes, requiring long-term or even lifelong treatment. Once diagnosed, it is necessary to strictly follow the doctor's instructions for treatment and follow-up on time. Even after surgical treatment, it is not a permanent solution, and regular follow-up is still required to protect the remaining vision as much as possible and ensure the quality of life.

According to the "Chinese Glaucoma Guidelines (2020)" released by the Ophthalmology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, the number of people suffering from primary glaucoma worldwide in 2020 exceeded 76 million, and more than 21 million in my country, of which 5.67 million people may become blind.

"The biggest danger of glaucoma is its irreversible blinding characteristics. Once the optic nerve is damaged, it becomes very difficult to restore vision." Wu Zuohong, director of the Glaucoma Department of the Aier Eye Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University, introduced that glaucoma is a chronic ophthalmic disease. Once diagnosed, it requires lifelong follow-up and monitoring of relevant disease indicators. The goal is to reduce its blindness rate. Correctly understanding the severity of glaucoma and taking appropriate chronic disease management measures can significantly reduce the risk of blindness and improve the quality of life of patients. Therefore, it is very necessary to monitor and follow up glaucoma through chronic disease management.

Experts remind that the core of glaucoma chronic disease management lies in early screening, regular testing and individualized treatment. Through these measures, the progression of glaucoma can be effectively controlled, the risk of blindness can be reduced, vision can be protected, and the quality of life can be improved. In addition, chronic disease management can also help reduce the pressure on medical resources and reduce the economic burden of glaucoma-related treatments. The Aier Eye Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University has a specialized clinic for refractory glaucoma and a pediatric glaucoma clinic. According to the characteristics of glaucoma, it has specially opened a glaucoma patient club and a glaucoma patient home, and regularly holds popular science lectures.