DW BUREAU / Chandigarh

The Punjab Health Department will be observing World Glaucoma Week from March 10 to March 16, 2024, said Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr Balbir Singh here on Thursday.

The Minister, while releasing the awareness posters in this regard, informed that as a part of this campaign, free Glaucoma check-up camps will be organised by the Punjab Health Department in District Hospitals, Sub-Divisional Hospitals and Government Medical Colleges during this week so that people suffering from glaucoma can be identified and treated in a timely manner. He asked the concerned officials to distribute these awareness posters among all the health facilities of the state to sensitise people regarding the symptoms and treatment of Glaucoma.

Reiterating the Punjab Government's resolve to transform the health infrastructure of the state, Dr Balbir Singh said that six ultra-modern machines (Non-Contact Tonometer) to detect Glaucoma have already been installed in six district hospitals of Punjab, while the process to provide these latest machines in all the districts is underway.

Dr Balbir Singh, who himself is an eye surgeon, said that glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the world. In 90 percent of cases, blindness due to glaucoma can be prevented with early detection and treatment. It is characterised by damage to the optic nerve due to an increase in eye pressure (intra-ocular pressure) leading to irreversible blindness. Glaucoma is sometimes called a silent thief of vision because it can cause irreparable damage without showing early symptoms. The patient will not be symptomatic till the disease has progressed to a moderate or advanced stage.

Dr Balbir Singh further said "Anyone can get glaucoma but certain people are at higher risk such as age above 60, family history, medical conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, myopia, taking corticosteroid preparations especially eye drops for a long time. Eye injuries can also result in glaucoma. Early detection and careful lifelong treatment can maintain vision in most people."
(editor@dailyworld.in)