In an effort to combat one of the
main causes of blindness around the globe, the World Glaucoma Association
and the World Glaucoma Patient Organization have announced the first annual
World Glaucoma Day, to be observed on March 6, 2008. The day will be marked
by awareness and educational events organized by glaucoma institutions and
local patient support groups worldwide, as listed on wgday. As well
as striking the residents of developing countries at alarming rates,
glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the United States and
the leading cause for African-Americans.
Known as “the sneak thief of sight,” glaucoma is a disease
characterized by gradual loss of vision resulting from death of the cells
in the eye which transmits visual images through the optic nerve to the
brain. As the optic nerve becomes increasingly damaged, permanent vision
loss and blindness can occur. Early detection is the key to treating and
halting the effects of glaucoma, but current worldwide estimates reveal
that more than half of glaucoma sufferers do not even realize they have the
disease.
“Because glaucoma strikes so silently and gradually, it is absolutely
crucial to educate people about the value of early detection,” said Robert
Ritch, MD, professor and chief of glaucoma services at The New York Eye and
Ear Infirmary, co-founder of the World Glaucoma Patient Association, and
member of the World Glaucoma Day committee for the World Glaucoma
Association. “For a disease that causes permanent blindness, it is truly
unacceptable that so many people remain unaware of its impact and
consequences. Individuals in our country need to be much more vigilant
about glaucoma, especially if they fall into one of the higher risk
groups.”
Persons at high risk for glaucoma should have their eyes examined for
the disease at least every two years by an eye care professional. In the
United States, at risk groups include: people with a family history of
glaucoma, African-Americans over the age of 40, people who are very
nearsighted or farsighted, and all persons over the age of 60.
In the early stages of glaucoma, there may be no symptoms and vision
can appear to be normal until a large amount has been lost. If undetected
and untreated, glaucoma will gradually claim all peripheral vision and move
on to cause total blindness. With early detection, glaucoma can be treated
with eye drops to lower intraocular pressure. Other standard methods of
treatment include laser and operative surgery. Treatment can usually halt
the disease, but it cannot reverse the damage that has been done. Glaucoma
can develop in one or both eyes.
About World Glaucoma Association:
The World Glaucoma Association is an independent professional global
organization dedicated to the overall improvement of glaucoma science and
care. Comprised of leading medical experts and institutions throughout the
world, the group’s overall goal is to optimize the quality of glaucoma
research and treatment through increased communication and cooperation
among international glaucoma societies, industries, and patient
organizations.
About World Glaucoma Patient Association:
The World Glaucoma Patient Association is an umbrella organization
which supports glaucoma associations and networks worldwide in their
efforts to educate and support their members so that all people with
glaucoma can understand and better manage their disease. The WGPA will
facilitate the establishment of new glaucoma support groups and coordinate
communication and cooperation between existing groups, in addition to
promoting international awareness of glaucoma as a cause of preventable
blindness.
World Glaucoma Day
wgday