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Even though more people fear going blind than suffering a
heart attack or dying young, they usually ignore going for
regular eye check-up that experts affirm can positively reduce
the risk of losing vision.
People over 40 usually turn a blind eye to losing their
vision due to glaucoma, seen as the leading cause of
irreversible blindness in India and affecting almost 70 million
people in the world, finds a recent survey in seven countries
including Australia, Germany, the UK and US.
Results of the survey reveal that only four out of 10
respondents had paid a visit to an eye specialist in the last
year even though twice as many people feared going blind
compared to heart disease or early death.
"Yes, it is one of the leading causes of irreversible
blindness in India. The main problem is that a majority of the
cases are undiagnosed or unaware of the disease and are
presented to the eye care providers at a very late stage when
restoration of visual function is not possible," says Dr Tanuj
Dada, All India Medical Institute of Science.
The disease, also known as 'Kala Motia', is a condition in
which the normal drainage channels of the eye get obstructed,
leading to rise in intra-ocular pressure, which causes damage to
the optic nerve of the eye (the nerve responsible for visual
function). "If left untreated, the disease can lead to
blindness," he says.
Awareness of glaucoma was extremely low, with a total of 40
per cent of people surveyed being unaware of the fact that
glaucoma is linked to blindness, the multi-country survey
pointed out.
Approximately, 6.7 million people across the world are
blinded from glaucoma, and by 2020, the number is expected to
rise to 80 million due to the rapidly growing ageing population.
The earlier glaucoma is detected, the greater the potential
of limiting the economic impact of the disease by using
appropriate treatment.
"Glaucoma is not just a disease of the elderly. Now is the
time to change the public mindset about glaucoma," says Scott
Christensen, president of the World Glaucoma Patient Association
and president and chief executive officer of The Glaucoma
Foundation.
Out of the different types of glaucoma, the majority cases
are those in which high eye pressure causes irreversible damage
to the optic nerve and the damage develops over many years
leading to total vision loss. Treatments available to decrease
eye pressure can prevent or slow the progression of the disease,
say experts.
"People over the age of 40 need to make eye health a priority
by having a complete eye examination every two years to ensure
detection of glaucoma before any vision loss is experienced,"
says Christensen.
"Those above 35 years should take precautions and go for
regular eye check-ups. Relatives of glaucoma patients should
specially go for check-ups once every two to three years. If
diagnosed, then regular use of eye drops and at least a check-up
every six months is a must, but the most important thing is
early diagnosis and beginning of start of treatment to prevent
loss of visual function," says Dr Dada.
Less than half of those surveyed had undergone an eye
pressure check. This proportion did not increase in the older
age groups, even though the risk of glaucoma increases with age.
This was in contrast to blood pressure, where more respondents
discussed blood pressure with their physician in the older age
groups.
"Accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment of glaucoma can
prevent damage to the optic nerve and preserve healthy vision,
which is why check-ups are so important," says Prof Roger
Hitchings, Professor of Ophthalmology, University College
London, and Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon, Moorfields Eye
Hospital.
"Everyone should pro-actively assess their risk of glaucoma
with an eye specialist. A complete eye exam for glaucoma will
include an eye pressure check, an optic nerve assessment and
visual field examination," he says.
"There is a hereditary component and first degree relatives
or siblings of glaucoma patients are at high risk. Those
suffering from diabetes, hypertension, thyroid disorders, myopia
and those who use steroids that are present in eye drops,
inhalers and tablets are also at risk of contracting the
disease," says Dr Dada.
A total of 4,352 people (2,020 males and 2,332 females) in
seven countries, including Australia, Brazil, Germany, Japan,
Spain, the UK and US participated in the survey that was part of
the 'All Eyes on Glaucoma' campaign, a global initiative
sponsored by Pfizer Ophthalmics and supported by the World
Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patient Association
to educate people over age 40 on how to preserve their vision
and recognise their risk of developing glaucoma. (Agencies)
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