Sunday, August 9, 2009

EYE PRESSURE OR GLAUCOMA:INDIA'S CHALLENGES AHEAD

Glaucoma is the second leading cause of preventable blindness in India. With a rapidly growing ageing population there will be 16 million patients of glaucoma by 2020.
The World Glaucoma Association has set a goal of reducing the undiagnosed rate of glaucoma from 50% to "No more than 20% by 2020". According to R George (Indian Journal of Opthalmology Vol 56(2),2008)"this goal is attainable if we work together to increase awareness of glaucoma both among the public as well as among healthcare providers. We also need to ensure that quality eye examinations are available and performed by all eye care professionals in the country."