Hospiten is launching a prevention campaign for free diagnostic tests on the occasion of World Glaucoma Week. The initiative will be held at Hospiten Sur University Hospital and Hospiten Tamaragua and is aimed at people over 40 years of age.
The campaign will be held on March 12 at Hospiten Tamaragua, located in the municipality of Puerto de la Cruz, and on March 16 at Hospiten Sur University Hospital, in Arona. The aim is to raise awareness of the importance of early detection of glaucoma.
Dr. Glenda Espinosa, ophthalmologist at Hospiten Bellevue University Hospital, says that "glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and is the most common neurodegenerative disease, ahead of Alzheimer's disease".
Glaucoma, a "silent" disease
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that progressively damage the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. In most cases, this damage is related to an increase in intraocular pressure, although it can occur even with normal figures.
"It is a silent pathology, since in its initial stages it does not produce obvious symptoms. The loss of vision begins by affecting the peripheral visual field and, if it is not treated in time, it can progress to seriously and irreversibly compromise central vision," says Dr. Espinosa.
Incidence data in the Canary Islands
In the Canary Islands, as in the rest of Spain, it is estimated that between 2 and 3% of the population over 40 years of age suffers from glaucoma. However, after the age of 60, the figure rises significantly.
It is also estimated that nearly half of those affected are undiagnosed. This fact reinforces the importance of the Hospiten campaign for the prevention and screening of this disease.
Importance of early diagnosis
"Early diagnosis of glaucoma is key, as the damage it causes cannot be reversed, but early detection allows treatment to be started and its progression slowed down, which significantly reduces the risk of severe vision loss," points out Dr. Mónica Suárez, ophthalmologist at Hospiten Sur University Hospital.
For this reason, regular ophthalmologic check-ups are recommended from the age of 40 onwards, especially in people with a family history, high myopia, diabetes or hypertension.
Hospiten reminds us that early detection and follow-up of glaucoma are essential to preserve visual health and prevent the disease from progressing.
This article is an English translation generated with AI from the original Spanish content. While we review content for clarity, the information is provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis or treatment.