KOCHI:Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Cochin Ophthalmic Club, under the aegis of Glaucoma Society of India, and KSOS will conduct a Glaucoma Walkathon at Marine Drive on Sunday.
IMA, Kochi branch, Inner Wheel Club of Cochin, Rotary Club of Cochin and Women Explorers, Ophthalmic community of Kochi, doctors, students and staff of Amrita Institute will also take part.
World Glaucoma Week is a worldwide initiative of World Glaucoma Association to increase awareness of Glaucoma. Glaucoma is an eye disease that gradually steals sight and comes without warning. So, unfortunately in most cases till late stages of the disease it goes unnoticed, hence screening for it becomes important. This ‘silent killer’ of vision can occur at all ages. Glaucoma Awareness campaign is being observed at AIMS with a week long programmes.
There will be free Glaucoma screening daily from March 9 to 14 at Ophthalmology department, AIMS,Glaucoma awareness campaign daily from 8.30 am - 10:30 am with awareness performa, videos and talks at various areas in the hospital, Glaucoma Poster Competition for students, and Street Play on Glaucoma Awareness.
Dr Meenakshi Dhar, professor and Glaucoma specialist at Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences said that glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness the world over. It damages the optic nerve, the nerve responsible for vision. Screening and awareness programmes can help detect it early.
Vision lost due to glaucoma cannot be regained, thus we must catch it early, prevent this irreversible blindness.
These programmes aim to spread the awareness about the disease and there by speed the control.