Glaucoma strikes with no symptoms or signs, and what worries ophthalmologists is the poor awareness levels.
This past week, observed as World Glaucoma Week, has seen doctors stressing on the need to improve awareness about glaucoma and timely evaluation of eyes for intraocular pressure.
Glaucoma, as Ronnie George, research director of Sankara Nethralaya says, is a progressive disease related to susceptibility to eye pressure that can lead to irreversible blindness if left untreated. Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness.
Examination includes checking the eye pressure, checking the angle of the eye and the optic nerve. “Based on this, we can decide whether a person stands the risk of glaucoma and then assess the peripheral vision,” Dr. George said.
