Increased awareness among people is the key to eradicate Glaucoma in the society, opined Dr. Sirisha Senthil, Head, Glaucoma Center, LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) at a Glaucoma awareness programme organized in Hyderabad.

According to the doctor, Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve and can result in vision loss and blindness. However, with early detection and treatment, one can often protect eyes against serious vision loss. “Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in India. Therefore the first step is to create awareness about it, which can ensure early diagnosis and prevention,” says Dr. Sirisha Senthil.

As Glaucoma is a disorder associated with increase in the eye pressure, and is characterized by damage to the optic nerve leading to irreversible blindness everyone has to undergo regular eye checkups and insist on eye pressure when undergoing check up by ophthalmologist.

The eye care experts explained that eye pressure is a major risk factor for optic nerve damage. In the front of the eye is a space called anterior chamber. A clear fluid flows continuously in and out of the chamber and nourishes nearby tissues. The fluid leaves the chamber at the open angle where the cornea and iris meet. When the fluid reaches the angle, it flows through a spongy meshwork, like a drain, and leaves the eye.

In open-angle glaucoma, even though the drainage angle is open, the fluid passes too slowly through the meshwork drain and fluid builds up creating pressure inside the eye which may damage the optic nerve. Another risk factor for optic nerve damage is rise in blood pressure.

Currently, in India, every 8th individual aged 40 years or older either has glaucoma or is at risk of developing the disease. About 11.2 million Indians suffer from the disease with 1.1 million blind, including children. High myopes, diabetics and those with a positive family history have higher risk of developing glaucoma. Screening family members of patients with glaucoma is mandatory, as this disease can affect siblings and children of patients with glaucoma in up to 10-20 per cent of cases. Also, educating the general public on the harmful effects of prolonged steroid use can prevent serious and blinding steroid induced glaucoma that mostly affects children.

Therefore to create awareness about the Glaucoma, LVPEI is organising Glaucoma awareness week from 8-14th March 2015 in Hyderabad.