Coimbatore: People over the age of 40, those suffering from diabetes, migraine, those who frequently change their spectacles, have high minus power lenses, use steroids too often and most importantly those who have a family history of glaucoma, are generally at a higher risk of developing glaucoma - Coimbatore Society of Ophthalmic Surgeons.
Coimbatore: People over the age of 40, those suffering from diabetes, migraine, those who frequently change their spectacles, have high minus power lenses, use steroids too often and most importantly those who have a family history of glaucoma, are generally at a higher risk of developing glaucoma - Coimbatore Society of Ophthalmic Surgeons.
Often referred as ‘silent thief of sight’, Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness and according to WHO statistics, prevalence of glaucoma in India is 2.6%. Among this glaucoma population, only 7% of them are aware that they have glaucoma and are on treatment, whereas the remaining 93% were unaware about the presence of glaucoma, according to Coimbatore Society of Ophthalmic Surgeons.
To raise awareness in the society, World Glaucoma Congress observes the second week of March, every year, as 'World Glaucoma Week'.
To commemorate 'World Glaucoma Week', the Coimbatore Society of Ophthalmic Surgeons (CSOS) conducted an awareness Rally on March 8, 2020 (Sunday) in association with RVS College of Nursing and Sri Ramakrishna Hospital.
The rally was flagged off by Minu Pramod, Commissioner of GST (Audit), Coimbatore, in the presence of Dr. S. Padmanabhan, President - CSOS , Dr. Ganesh V Raman, Secretary–CSOS, Dr. R.J. Morris, Treasurer - CSOS and senior members from CSOS.
According to the organisers, the Glaucoma awareness rally was organized to emphasize regular and comprehensive eye checkup, which is the only way to detect signs of glaucoma early, and control it on time. People over the age of 40, those suffering from diabetes, migraine, those who frequently change their spectacles, have high minus power lenses, use steroids too often and most importantly those who have a family history of glaucoma, are generally at a higher risk of developing glaucoma.
A comprehensive eye test includes a vision check, a slit lamp examination, an IOP (Intraocular pressure) check and optic disc evaluation. This will ensure early detection of glaucoma and treatment can be offered, thereby preventing irreversible loss of vision, said a release from CSOS.
The Ophthalmic Society also emphasized that treatment of glaucoma with eye-drops, laser or with surgery is not to bring back or revert lost nerve or vision, but only to reduce eye pressure and preserve the existing nerve and vision. It is important for patients to use medication as prescribed and have regular glaucoma evaluation with a glaucoma consultant, throughout their life.