Ophthalmologists from Narayana Nethralaya, L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) and government owned Minto Eye Hospital are set to eliminate irreversible blindness by ensuring glaucoma is screened and detected early.
 
On the occasion of the World Glaucoma week observed between March 12 and 18, 2017, eye specialists are alerting people to have regular eye examination, including optic nerve checks. The collaborative initiative between the World Glaucoma Association, Glaucoma Society of India, and the World Glaucoma Patient Association has been appreciated programme for the last 8 years, stated ophthalmologists.
 
Worldwide and in India, glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness. Globally 12 million people are estimated to be blind because of the disease. “Barring Asia, primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) is far more common than primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) worldwide. In Asia, population-based studies from India have reported that a significant percentage of the population suffer from angle-closure glaucoma. PACG is a more blinding disease than POAG,” Dr K Bhujang Shetty, chairman and managing director, Narayana Nethralaya told Pharmabiz.
 
According to Dr Sirisha Senthil, head, glaucoma service, LVPEI, glaucoma cannot be prevented, but if diagnosed and treated early, it can be controlled. Loss of vision by glaucoma is irreversible and cannot be restored. However, successfully lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) can prevent further visual loss. Most people with glaucoma do not go blind if they follow their treatment plan. Most have no early symptoms or pain from increased eye pressure. Hence regular eye checks are mandatory to treat before long-term visual loss occurs.
 
Glaucoma commonly affects above  40 age-group. Its prevalence increases with age and after 70 years, rises by 2-4 times. However, glaucoma can affect any group, including new born infants. In India, 11.2 million persons of 40 years and older are affected. POAG affects 6.48 million and PACG cases are 2.54 million. PACG is a more blinding disease than POAG. Those with any form of primary angle-closure disease could comprise 27.6 million persons, Dr Shetty noted.
 
IOP lowering medications form the mainstay of this treatment However, non-IOP lowering medications like Memantine: NMDA receptor antagonist, calcium channel blockers, Ginkgo biloba are being studied. Further newer minimally invasive glaucoma surgeries, are being evaluated for early to moderate glaucoma. These require lesser surgical time, fewer complications and provide quicker post-operative recovery. These include iStent, Trabectome, Hydrus Microstent, Excimer laser trabeculotomy (ELT) and Gonioscopy assisted transluminaltrabeculotomy (GATT), Xen gel implant , CyPassmicrostent, said Dr. Shetty.
 
The 40 year old National Programme for Control of Blindness is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme to reduce blindness from 1.4% to 0.3%. Various initiatives are targeted to reduce blindness to 0.3% by 2020. These can be achieved through identification and treatment of blind at primary, secondary and tertiary levels. There is need for strengthening comprehensive eye care services, enhanced community awareness on eye care, preventive measures and expansion of research for blindness prevention and visual impairment, said Dr. Shetty.