Scientific success in the 7th Congress of the Spanish society of Glaucoma, with the participation of the Hospital in Torrevieja

-The Chief of Ophthalmology service of the Hospital of Torrevieja has coordinated with the Board of Directors of the seventh Congress of the Spanish society of Glaucoma sec which was held at the Palacio de Congresos de Alicante from 8 to 10 March.

– Congress dealt with developments in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, emphasizing contact lenses intraocular pressure taking for 24 hours, as well as innovative surgical techniques such as the canaloplastia, that allow to lower the intraocular pressure.

Torrevieja, March 2012.- Dr. José Belda, Chief of service of Ophthalmology of the Hospital of Torrevieja has been the local head of the Organization of the seventh Congress of the society Spanish of Glaucoma that took place at the Palacio de Congresos in Alicante, from 8 to 10 March, bringing together nearly 400 experts in the field.

The meeting has served to present developments in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma, among which stands out the presentation of contact lenses which are incorporated a microchip, able to take the intraocular pressure of the patient 24 hours (this technology is equivalent to the Holter to take blood pressure). New insight into eye pressure of patients anytime of the day, and not only at the time of the consultation, fact that makes it possible to know the real effect of the medications and/or operations, and make a better follow-up of the patients.

Dr. Konrad Schargel, optional service of Ophthalmology Hospital in Torrevieja, together with Prof. Mª peace Villegas, Professor of ophthalmology at the University of Murcia, moderated a round table where presented novel aspects of research in molecular genetics and artificial vision. In this last section, Prof. Eduardo Fernández, Miguel Hernández University, presented a range of future possibilities for patients who lose vision, even if most of them is still in development phase.

For his part, Dr. José Belda, together with Prof. Javier Moreno of the Clínica Universitaria de Navarra, moderated the round table what you always wanted to know about valves and tubes: from theory to practice ”, in which also participated the international guest speakerDr. Keith Barton of the prestigious Centre Moorfields Eye Hospital in London. The lecture provided the Prof. Francisco Honrubia, Professor of ophthalmology at the University of Zaragoza, versed on developments in the last years of the early diagnosis of glaucoma, which is the main strategy for the adequate treatment of this disease.

At the meeting he highlighted the presence of a fact table of the Glaucoma Association for affected families (AGAF), entity of national public utility which aims to research and prevention of glaucoma, as well as defence, information, solidarity, mutual support and the treatment of the rights of the people affected by glaucoma and their families. The presence of the patients and families of patients at the Congress, can do to improve the joint vision of this disease which in turn is a major social problem.

The President of the Spanish society of Glaucoma, Dr. Alfredo Mannelli, along with Dr. Belda, Member of the Board of Directors, were very satisfied with the celebration of the 7th Congress in Alicante: believe that the outcome of the meeting has met the expectations of the organizers and attendees, and we achieved the goal to share the latest knowledge in the diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma. By other side, and given that we are in the week of glaucoma, our meeting may also serve to disseminate among health professionals and the general population the importance of early diagnosis of this disease, which is one of the leading causes of blindness in the world. ”

more about glaucoma

more than one million Spaniards older than 40 years you suffer this eye disease, and about 50% unknown he suffers, that does not produce symptoms until very advanced stages. Initially affects in a painless way to peripheral vision (which are little aware) and central vision affected only when glaucoma is very advanced. For this reason, it is also known to this disease as silent blindness.

Glaucoma is an optic neuropathy (disease that affects the optic nerve) produced mainly by an increase in intraocular pressure (although this is not the only cause). Therefore all efforts regarding the treatment will be based on lowering the intraocular pressure.

The professionals of the Hospital in Torrevieja investigated to improve the treatment of patients with glaucoma by surgery minimally invasive techniques that contribute to avoid the total loss of vision in the eye.