Glaucoma awareness walk organised in Hyderabad

Join the Glaucoma Awareness Walk in Hyderabad, promoting early detection and prevention of this sight-threatening condition.

The L V Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI), Hyderabad organised a Glaucoma Awareness Walk in Hyderabad on Sunday. The walk is part of a series of activities across its network to mark World Glaucoma Week from March 8 to 14.

Glaucoma refers to a group of eye conditions associated with damage to the optic nerve, often linked to increased intraocular pressure. The disease can result in progressive and irreversible vision loss. Many patients remain unaware of the condition until significant vision impairment has already occurred.

In India, around 12 million people above the age of 40 are affected by glaucoma, of whom approximately 1.1 million are blind. Experts estimate that nearly 90% of glaucoma cases in India remain undiagnosed, compared with 40% to 60% in developed countries. Many patients seek medical help only after experiencing severe visual disability or permanent blindness.

Dr. Siddharth Dixit, Head of the VST Centre for Glaucoma Care at the KAR campus of LVPEI, said poor patient awareness makes glaucoma an extremely dangerous condition with a high potential to cause irreversible visual impairment in millions of patients. Early detection, prevention and treatment are critical in combating the disease.