Bangalore: To increase awareness among the public about Glaucoma, Bangalore Ophthalmic Society and Glaucoma Society of India jointly organized. Walk for
Glaucoma, a walkathon from Freedom Park to Gandhi statue at M G Road here today.
Glaucoma is the third leading cause of blindness in India. 12 million people are affected accounting for 12.8 per cent of the country`s blindness. This is expected to grow to
16 million by 2020, eye specialists said.
Flagging off the walkathon, City Police Commissioner Jyoti Prakash Mirji, said Glaucoma is a silent thief of sight. Glaucoma Week is to increase awareness about the
disease so that we can fight against glaucoma and do not let it darken your life".
Cine artist Shivarajkumar said Glaucoma, a silent killer of sight, has no warning symptoms.
"Only regular eye examination by an ophthalmologist can detect the condition & prevent further damage. So let`s wake up and join our hands together to fight against glaucoma?, he said
Glaucoma can affect any age group, including newborn, infants, children and elderly. Blindness from glaucoma is irreversible. Early detection is the key to preserving vision.
Glaucoma is the largest cause of bilateral blindness, second only to the cataract, said Dr K Bhujang Shetty, President of Bangalore Ophthalmic Society and CMD, Narayana Nethralaya.
PTI
