A visitor having his eyes checked at the booth.
DOHA: Prevention and early diagnosis of glaucoma, a common eye complaint, was the focus of recent events held by Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC).
The events marking World Glaucoma Day, highlighted the importance of early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma to prevent vision loss as it is the second leading cause of blindness in adults worldwide,
As part of a campaign, a booth was set up at Hamad General Hospital’s Outpatient Department lobby, where ophthalmologists provided information about the disease and members of the public lined up for free check-ups.
The campaign aims at prevention and early detection of glaucoma, according to Dr Zakia Mohamed Al Ansari, Specialist at HMC’s Ophthalmology Section.
“Glaucoma is known as the ‘silent blindness’ or ‘sight thief’ as the early stages of glaucoma do not cause pain or any symptoms,” said Dr Al Ansari.
“One of the main signs is the increase of intraocular pressure (high eye pressure) which can be detected only through a medical examination.”
High eye pressure causes damage to the optic nerve, the part of the eye that carries visual information from the retina to the brain.
If the pressure is not controlled, it will cause complete damage of the optic nerve which will lead to loss of vision.
Dr Al Ansari said there are several types of glaucoma, and it can be hereditary. Some people are more susceptible than others, such as people with a family history of glaucoma, people above 30, those having myopia (a defect in vision where distant objects appear blurred because their images are focused in front of the retina rather than on it) and people who have eye trauma.
“The best way to fight glaucoma is through prevention. That is why we are actively involved in this event every year. It is very important to know that the damaged part of the optic nerve is completely incurable and that is why early diagnosis and treatment are required to prevent loss of vision.
“We are promoting the importance of glaucoma patient support groups in taking our message of early detection and lifelong treatment to the communities where it is desperately needed,” he said.
The Peninsula
