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“Early diagnosis of glaucoma may stop further damage”

PUDUCHERRY: Prolonged use of steroids can cause glaucoma, the second leading cause of preventable blindness after cataract in India. Though prevention and cure are impossible for glaucoma, early diagnosis could prevent further damage, chief of glaucoma unit at Aravind Eye Hospital R.Venkatesh said on Tuesday.

Addressing a press conference, Dr. Venkatesh said that continuous use of steroids for skin diseases and asthma could lead to glaucoma. “Injuries, diabetes, hypertension and inflammation are secondary causes of glaucoma,” he said.

With March 6 being observed as World Glaucoma Day, the emphasis was on increasing the level of awareness among the public. For this, the hospital would conduct an interaction with patients and also launch a glaucoma care programme.

At present, around 10 million Indians were affected by glaucoma and the number would increase to 12 million by 2010. India would face a burden of 16 million glaucoma cases by 2020, Dr. Venkatesh said.

A study carried out by the hospital along with the Department of Science and Technology, Government of India, last year found that the awareness of glaucoma was two per cent in the urban areas and one per cent in the rural areas.

“Population-based studies suggest that more than 90 per cent of glaucoma cases in the country remain undiagnosed. Around five per cent of the population above 40 years are likely to have glaucoma,” he added.

In glaucoma, the pressure of fluid within the eye gradually increases damaging the optic nerve. This damage was irreparable and would lead to permanent loss of vision at a later stage. “Glaucoma has no symptoms such as pain or irritation in the eyes but the side vision will slowly reduce. Around 97 per cent people are unaware of the potential danger caused by the diseases and 50 per cent seek medical help only in the advanced stage of the disease. Detection cannot be done through eye camps,” Dr. Venkatesh said.

In the U.S., a mobile unit with essential equipment was involved in screening of glaucoma. The hospital had submitted a proposal to Lions International to bring about a similar model on a pilot basis, Dr. Venkatesan said. Similarly, the hospital had also started a glaucoma training programme to bring in skilled personnel in glaucoma care. The four-week programme included training in screening, diagnosis and surgery of glaucoma.

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