A second hard look at glaucoma

Patients rarely see glaucoma coming, so clearly states Dr. Roselle R. Villa-Lucas, Pfizer medical manager for ophthalmology. The dark truth is, when this so-called invisible disease progresses, it can lead to complete blindness.

“Beat Invisible Glaucoma (BIG)” is the big battle cry of the Philippine Glaucoma Foundation and its pharmaceutical partner, Pfizer Philippines, in celebration of this year’s World Glaucoma Week.

FYI: Glaucoma is a disease of the eyes that causes gradual destruction of the optic nerve, which is the vital link between the eye and the brain. Damage to the optic nerve causes shrinking of the visual field, eventually leading to blindness.

The alarming fact is that blindness due to glaucoma is irreversible (unlike vision loss caused by cataracts, which can be restored through surgery).

The grim statistics show that some 2.4 million Filipinos are suffering from glaucoma (it could be more as a lot of patients have no access to treatment), and the disease is now the third leading cause of blindness.

To shed light on this invisible disease, here’s an eye-opener from Dr. Benjamin Abela Jr., spokesperson, Philippine Glaucoma Foundation, in this exclusive interview with The Philippine STAR:

PHILIPPINE STAR: Is there something about the Asian eyes that predisposes Filipinos to glaucoma?


DR. BENJAMIN ABELA JR.: Asian eyes are more deeply pigmented, thicker than other ethnicities, with shallower anterior chamber than normal, as ethnically seen in those of Chinese descent, which is very prevalent in Filipino culture.


You said that glaucoma is an invisible disease. Is there not even a slight indication that one may have it? What are the initial symptoms?

If you have angle-closure glaucoma, you can have slight eye pain and at times, excruciating. Most glaucomas, however, are insidious with no warning symptoms. Some complain of simple symptoms such as headaches (or eye pain, blurred vision, nausea or seeing a multi-colored spectrum of rainbows around light sources) and some have island vision as initial symptom. Family history of glaucoma is a good warning for family members.

How big a role does heredity play in glaucoma? If one of my parents has it, will I eventually have it?

If both parents have it or one of them has it, you’ll probably get it, so have screening from 40 years of age and every five years if negative.

You said an ordinary eye checkup would not be able to detect glaucoma. What tests should I request from my eye doctor to find out if I have glaucoma?

A routine eye exam should have refraction, application tonometry, gonioscopy, biomicroscopy, and tear film breakup time. If there is a suspicion of glaucoma, perimetry and ocular coherence tomography are important adjunct therapies.

What eye clinics have these machines to test for glaucoma?

These tests should be available in major institutions for sure.

How many glaucoma doctors do we have in the Philippines?


 We have only 40 glaucoma members of the Philippine Glaucoma Society (PGS). There are others who, if not all ophtha eye MDs, practice glaucoma (which we encourage).

Could you share the latest in glaucoma treatment?

Glaucoma treatment is life-long. Due to the socio-economic problems that beset our people, the surgical option is the most viable. PGF provides this service for free.

How does an indigent patient avail of the free treatment, courtesy of the Philippine Glaucoma Foundation?

Patients can get in touch with the PGF through my mobile number 09178128606.

 How much would a typical treatment cost?

Treatment varies depending on the “target,” i.e. how low you want to bring down the eye pressure, and the degree of glaucoma damage. Typically, eye meds will be in the thousands of pesos, maybe 1-2T per month as lifetime meds. In the Philippines, because of socio-economic factors, surgery/laser is a better long-term option. Laser may average 4T per eye. Surgery, again depending on the type and institution, may range from 7T to 30T(using valve implants).

Tell us more about your fund-raising campaign.


The fund-raising campaign of the PGF is now on high gear in terms of the Philippine Glaucoma Society membership. The Philippine Glaucoma Foundation is the service arm of the PGS. Glaucoma is an expensive disease, unlike cataract. We also hope that the introduction of Inday, and what she stands for, will cascade to the public, sending the message of awareness of glaucoma and providing opportunity for indigent patients to avail themselves of free treatment. We are looking for benefactors who could support our advocacy and help us fulfill the foundation’s objectives. We are reaching out to NGOs, corporations, institutional foundations, and individual donors to donate tax-deductible funds so we may continue this service. Hopefully, we can ink long-term commitments of financial support.

While glaucoma is the disease of the elderly, it can also occur at any age. How young can one get it?

Juvenile glaucoma and infantile glaucoma are true entities but comprise only 5% of all glaucomas. These cases are also within our scope of treatment. Because these patients are young, special considerations must be given with regard to surgical technique, anaesthetic concerns, and long-term follow-up.

Can diet and supplements (or vitamins) help prevent glaucoma?


There is no medical evidence that diet and vitamins can influence the occurrence and course of glaucoma.


How do we get in touch with the Philippine Glaucoma Society or the Philippine Glaucoma Foundation?

Further info can be had through my e-mail at benjamin.abela@gmail.com or call my mobile number 09178128606.