ANÁLISE DO CONHECIMENTO DE PACIENTES AMBULATORIAIS ACERCA DA CEGUEIRA POR GLAUCOMA - UMA REVISÃO NARRATIVA

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze the knowledge of outpatients about blindness caused by glaucoma. Bibliographic Review: According to data from the World Health Organization (WHO), glaucoma is responsible for 13% of global blindness and each year more than 2.4 million new cases arise. ² Glaucoma is a multifactorial disease known as glaucomatous optic neuropathy, which affects the optic nerve, causing degeneration of the axons of retinal ganglion cells located in the optic papilla, and causing the death of these neurons, as well as the progressive reduction of the optical field. vision, which can lead to irreversible blindness. The disease has an insidious, gradual onset and may remain symptom-free until major vision loss occurs. Final Considerations: In this context, it is extremely important that the glaucoma patient is aware of the possibility of blindness as the final outcome of the disease, especially in cases of non-treatment or poor adherence to it. In this way, it is essential to understand the amount of this misinformation, so that health strategies are drawn up, in a personalized way and adapted to the reality of patients, both by professionals who work in this context, and by governments, with the aim of increase the demand for eye care and, consequently, also increase the rate of early diagnosis of glaucomatous disease, as well as improve patients' adherence to their respective treatments.