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Ayush admin Nov 12, 2020

Glaucoma Awareness Week (March 10th to 16th -2019)

Don’t be Blind Sided by Glaucoma

The word ‘Glaucoma’ has its origins from the Greek word glauk∈oma which means opacity of the lens. India shares around one fifth of the global burden of Glaucoma. More than 11.2 million people aged over 40 afflicted with glaucoma are blind says a report

Fearing Statistics

The figures might rise to 80 million worldwide in India by 2020 says an official source.  One in 20 Indians over 40 either have glaucoma or are in danger of developing Glaucoma in the future. Glaucoma contributes to 0.6 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) or 1.96% of the overall burden of diseases in India. (Disability adjusted life year is a measure of overall disease burden, expressed as the number of years lost due to ill-health, disability or early death).

Chronic Smoking leads to Glaucoma

Severe Smoking might lead to nerve damage resulting in Glaucoma.

Early Diagnosis & Treatment

  • Regular Eye check-up: Regular eye check-up, particularly to those who are more than 40 years is needed for early diagnosis & screening.
  • Medications: Once diagnosed with Glaucoma, the treatment requires anti-glaucoma drops to be administered even if the patient has no symptoms.
  • Control of Chronic health conditions:
  • Keeping a check on your Blood Pressure and Sugar levels is needed
  • Healthy Lifestyle: Deep breathing and relaxation exercises, diet rich in salads/green vegetables, aerobic exercises might reduce the stress associated with the disease.
  • Protective Eye Wear: Those who are involved in high speed sports and those using devices that strain the eyes, must use protective eye wear to prevent any damage
  • Say no to Steroids: Eye drops that contain steroids should be avoided.

 Tests for Glaucoma

Opthalmoscopy, Perimetry, Gonioscopy, Pachymetry are the tests recommended for Glaucoma.

Glaucoma Awareness Week (March 10th to 16th -2019)

In order to raise awareness of Glaucoma, ‘World Glaucoma Week’ is celebrated every year, starting from second Thursday of March every year. It is a joint initiative between the World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patient Association having highly successful run for the past 10 years.

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