World Glaucoma week starts in KP

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: The World Glaucoma Week (WGW) has started in at Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) in provincial capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa from March 12-15 to create awareness among the general masses about Glaucoma.

The WGW is being observed throughout the world every year in second week of March and the theme of this year is “BIG” (Beat Invisible Glaucoma).

Pakistan Institute of Community Ophthalmology (PICO), HMC being the technical hand of the government of KP health department and member of International agency for prevention of blindness every year observes this week under the national program for prevention and control of blindness.

These activities include free eye screening camps in HMC and awareness rising through media and awareness seminar in HMC. PICO also marked WGW each year with great zeal and passion.

Director HMC Dr Shahzad Akbar addressing the inaugural ceremony said that 40 million people are blind across the world, adding that every five seconds one person in the world goes blind while one child goes blind every minute.

He said that in developed countries where best health facilities area available and literacy rate is up to the mark, 50 per cent of people do not know about their disease.

He said glaucoma is another reason of blindness in the world and today 7 million people across the globe are suffering from the disease and by 2020 the figure would touch 79.6 million.

He advised general public to get their eyes examined by doctor once in a year after 40-year of age, avoid smoking, direct sunlight and heat and steroids, use balanced diet.

The doctor said that glaucoma cause permanent damage to eyes which can’t be reversed.