Hyderabad Ophthalmologists’ Association & Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, organize Glaucoma Awareness Walk to sensitize public on Glaucoma

Hyderabad, March 10^th, 2019 : Hyderabad Ophthalmologists’ Association (HOA) along with Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, and it's Alumni Association, hosted the Glaucoma Awareness walk, as part of the World Glaucoma Awareness Week being held from March 10th to 16th, 2019. The Walk was flagged of by Shri Etala Rajender, Health Minister, Telangana at Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, on Sunday.

Led by the Hyderabad Ophthalmologists’ Association's President Dr Manoj Mathur, the walk had Dr Rajlingam, Superintendent, Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital; Dr Superna, Dr Venkatratnam, Head, department of Glaucoma, SDEH & Dr Vanita Ray, Centre for Sight, along with patients and conscious citizens participating in large numbers.

On this occasion Shri Etela Rajender, Health Minister, Telangana; inaugurated World ‘Glucoma Awarenss Walk’, and he observed that no one should suffer eye related elements to address this issue. Government of Telangana launched ‘Kanti Velugu scheme for Avoidable Blindness Free Telangana. Awareness on Glaucoma is very essential, Glaucoma problem is more prevalent in our country than any other countries of the world. We adopt all innovations to defeat Glaucoma.

And also he said, 1 crore 50 lakhs screened for eye problems, 20 lakhs cataract operations were done and over 22 lakhs spectacles free of cost  distributed under this prestigious Kanti Velugu Shceme. Government of Telangana appreciate the services rendered by the Doctors and Staff. Sarojini Eye Hospitals is one of the prestigious Eye Hospital in India.

According to Dr Manoj Mathur, President, Hyderabad Ophthalmologists’ Association, Glaucoma is referred to as sneak thief of sight, as it is often detected late due to lack of awareness. In India about 90% of the disease is undiagnosed and hence the need for extensive awareness. The damage once detected cannot be reversed, thereafter it can only be controlled. He emphaises on the need for eye screening for everyone with risk factors. Dr Mathur, also points out that on the other hand about 50% of patients are over diagnosed and hence the need for training of general ophthalmologists for correct detection of the problem. Keeping this in view, HOA is hosting intensive sensitization programs for both lay people and medical fraternity to reach out to a wider section of the population. This campaign should raise awareness and reduce the incidence of Glaucoma, he adds. 

As part of the intensive drive to sensitize common man and the medical fraternity on this sneak thief of sight, Hyderabad Ophthalmologists’ Association and Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital, are organising a host of programs. Besides the Walk, on Sunday Glaucoma Awareness Public Lectures will be delivered in English, Telugu and Hindi, Urdu between 9-10 AM at New Seminar Hall, SD Eye Hospital, which is coordinated by Dr Superna; followed by Hands on Glaucoma Diagnostic Workshop for PGs and interested practitioners at Department of Glaucoma, SD Eye Hospital between 10-12 Noon, coordinated by Dr Venkatratnam.

·   Centre for Sight at Banjara Hills, is organizing a World Glaucoma Day CME, coordinated by Dr Vanita Ray, under the aegis of HOA from 9.30 AM, on Sunday.