16 Million People In India Affected By Glaucoma: AIIMS Bhubaneswar

Bhubaneswar: Of the 78 million glaucoma patients across the world, around 16 million reside in India. Of every 100 patients visiting eye OPD at AIIMS Bhubaneswar, 4-5 patients get detected with glaucoma.

Maximum patients are detected with the glaucoma at the last stage without any symptoms, said AIIMS Bhubaneswar Executive Director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas on occasion of World Glaucoma Week celebration.

Interacting with the patients in a programme organised by the Department of Ophthalmology on tuesday, Dr Biswas advised all the patients and risk population like those above 40 years, family history of glaucoma and patients having diabetes and hypertension to screen for glaucoma as it can be prevented if detected very early. He also distributed medication kits to the glaucoma patients.

Every year the second week of March is celebrated as World Glaucoma Week worldwide to create public awareness about this blinding disease which is preventable and the damage that happens to the optic nerve is irreversible. This year the theme is “World is Bright, Save your sight”.

There was an awareness talk and meeting attended by Ed Dr Ashutosh Biswas, Medical Superintendent Dr Dillip Kumar Parida and Dean Dr Prashanta Raghab Mohapatra. Department Head Dr Sucheta Parija explained regarding the glaucoma and about the risk population. Dr Bhagabat Nayak spoke about the facilities for the treatment of glaucoma available at AIIMS Bhubaneswar.

At AIIMS laser, surgery facilities are there both for adult and pediatric glaucoma. All types of advanced tests to detect glaucoma like perimetry, OCT, UBM are also available here. Dr Sandip Kumar Sahu spoke about various activities taken by AIIMS at community level to screen and detect glaucoma.

Notably, all types of glaucoma patients are coming from different parts of Odisha as well as from neighbouring states like West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand to AIIMS Bhubaneswar. As per information, due to Covid 19 many patients couldn’t get the appropriate treatment on time and lost their vision.