INA
Early Detection Becomes Key to Preventing Glaucoma Progression
Jakarta, January 20, 2022 – Glaucoma is often called “the silent thief of sight” for a reason. In its early stages, the disease shows almost no symptoms, yet it can end in permanent blindness. While high intraocular pressure (IOP) is widely recognized as the main risk factor, anatomy of the eye also plays a critical role—especially in patients with chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG).
WHO ranks glaucoma as the third leading cause of blindness worldwide, after refractive errors and cataract. It is also the leading cause of irreversible blindness, affecting more than 76 million people globally.
In Indonesia, glaucoma affects 0.46% of the population—roughly 4 to 5 people in every 1,000. Data from Jakarta show an even higher prevalence of 1.89% for primary angle-closure glaucoma, compared to 0.48% for primary open-angle glaucoma.
“Patients with angle-closure glaucoma often have shallower anterior chambers, shorter axial length, or thicker lenses. These anatomical features increase the likelihood of intraocular pressure elevation,” explained Dr. Iwan Soebijantoro, SpM(K), glaucoma subspecialist at JEC.
Motivated by these findings, Dr. Iwan conducted a study titled “Correlation Between Shallow Anterior Chamber and Corneal Endothelial Morphological Changes in Chronic Primary Angle-Closure Glaucoma.” The research, involving 52 subjects between 2018 and 2019, became the foundation of his doctoral dissertation at Universitas Gadjah Mada.
Key Results
- Eyes with very narrow anterior chamber angles (15° or less) showed more severe disease progression.
- Patients with corneal endothelial cell density below 2,000 cells/mm² experienced greater thinning of the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL).
- Central corneal thickness in the normal range (500–550 μm) still correlated with optic nerve damage.
“This study highlights how careful anatomical eye examinations can help us evaluate the severity of chronic PACG and guide earlier interventions. Eye checks should be done regularly, even before symptoms appear—not just for glaucoma patients but for everyone,” Dr. Iwan emphasized.
JEC’s Commitment to Glaucoma Care
To support early detection and treatment, JEC Glaucoma Service offers complete care for glaucoma patients—from education and consultation, to advanced diagnostics and medical or surgical treatments. With 11 glaucoma subspecialists and the latest technologies, including minimally invasive surgery with iStent implants, JEC ensures shorter patient journeys without compromising quality or continuity of care.
