During this year’s World Glaucoma Week (WGW) awareness campaign, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is encouraging the general public, especially those most at risk of developing glaucoma, to go for screening in order to diagnose the disease early and prevent irreversible complications.
Glaucoma is an eye disorder which results in progressive damage to the optic nerve, the part of the eye that carries visual information from the retina to the brain. The condition has no known cause but is often associated with a buildup of pressure inside the eye.
This year in a major collaboration between the World Glaucoma Association and World Glaucoma Patient Association, the HMC is joining the global community from March 7 to 13 to raise awareness and alert people to have regular eye (and optic nerve) checks to detect glaucoma earlier, thus contributing to sight preservation.
“The overarching goal for this year’s event, being held under the theme 'The World is Bright, Save Your Sight', is for everyone to know about the disease and to encourage them to go and get tested. Glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness. In many cases, glaucoma may be asymptomatic (the affected person does not show any symptoms), which is why it is called the ‘silent thief’. International statistics show that half of those living with glaucoma are unaware that they are affected. So, this is the reason we are emphasising screening for early diagnosis, especially for those with family history of the disease,” explains HMC’s consultant ophthalmologist, Dr Zakia al-Ansari.
Dr al-Ansari notes that it is very important to know when to get tested for glaucoma. “Those aged below 40 should go for eye screening every two to three years while those aged from 40 to 60 years should check their eyes every one to two years and those above 60 years should screen yearly depending on their risk factors,” Dr al-Ansari notes.
She explains that with early diagnosis and treatment, the irreversible damage caused by glaucoma may be limited and sight may be saved. “By promoting regular testing, we also want to discover glaucoma cases early. Also, we want the affected persons to get their relatives involved, as the chances of them getting glaucoma are 10 times higher than someone with no glaucoma history in their close family environment. Therefore, the World Glaucoma Week is a great opportunity to raise awareness through word of mouth,” she stresses.
“Just as we do every year during our activities marking WGW, we educate the public about the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle in order to maintain good eyesight as well as their other healthcare needs,” Dr al-Ansari points out. “Through the previous campaigns, the Ophthalmology Department was able to diagnose early scores of cases of glaucoma and help patients preserve their sights. In 2018 and 2019, respectively, 52 and 36 number of patients were diagnosed and followed up by our ophthalmology specialists.”
Glaucoma first affects the peripheral or side vision and progresses to the central vision. “People with glaucoma require lifelong treatment to maintain their vision. If left untreated, the disease can lead to complete blindness,” she notes.
According to her, the WGW activities are also helping to reinforce the partnership between HMC and its community partners in constantly providing vital health education to the public aside highlighting the high-quality care and services that the corporation is offering its patients.
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