DOHA PREVENTION and early diagnosis of the common eye complaint glaucoma, the second leading cause of blindness in adults worldwide, was the focus of a recent series of events held by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
Held to mark World Glaucoma Day, the events highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma in order to prevent vision loss.
As part of the campaign, a booth was set up in Hamad General Hospital’s Outpatient Department lobby, where ophthalmologists provided information about the disease and members of the public had free glaucoma checks.
The aim of the World Glaucoma Week campaign was the prevention and early detection of glaucoma, according to Dr Zakia Mohamed al Ansari, specialist at HMC’s ophthalmology section.
“Glaucoma is known as the ‘silent blindness’ or ‘sight thief’ as the early stages of glaucoma do not cause pain or any symptoms,” said Dr Ansari. “One of the main signs is the increase of intraocular pressure (high eye pressure) which can be detected only through a medical eye examination.” High eye pressure causes damage to the optic nerves, the part of the eye that carries visual information from the eye’s retina to the brain. If the high eye pressure is not controlled, it will completely damage the optic nerve which will lead to loss of vision.
Dr Ansari explained, “There are several types of glaucoma, and it can be hereditary. Some people are more susceptible than others, such as people with a family history of glaucoma, people above 30 years of age, those who have myopia (a defect in vision where distant objects appear blurred because their images are focused in front of the retina rather than on it) and people who had eye trauma.” “The best way to fight glaucoma was through prevention, Dr Ansari said.
“That is why we are actively involved in this event every year. It is very important to know that the damaged part of the optic nerve is completely incurable and that is why early diagnosis and treatment are required to prevent loss of vision. We are promoting the importance of glaucoma patient support groups in bringing our message of early detection and lifelong treatment to the communities where it is desperately needed,” Dr Ansari added.
Post a Comment
Post a Comment