GLAUCOMA AS A SILENT CAUSE OF IRREVERSIBLE BLINDNESS: DIAGNOSTIC AND MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES

Abstract

Glaucoma stands as one of the most formidable challenges in the landscape of global public health, representing a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Unlike cataract-related vision loss, which can be restored through surgical intervention, the visual deficits incurred from glaucoma are permanent, stemming from the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells and the subsequent degeneration of the optic nerve. This irreversibility places an immense premium on early detection and preventative management, yet the disease remains characterized by its insidious, asymptomatic progression. Often termed the "silent thief of sight," glaucoma slowly erodes the peripheral visual field while central vision remains intact, leading to a perilous delay in diagnosis for millions of individuals.