PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
The World Glaucoma Week 2025 campaign officially concluded at the Government Doon Medical College (GDMC) hospital here on Saturday. This initiative had begun on March 9 in the hospital. Senior eye specialist at the hospital Dr Sushil Ojha said that the campaign is held annually here to enhance public awareness regarding preventive measures against glaucoma.
This year’s campaign theme was “Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World”. The activities in the hospital’s outpatient department (OPD) commenced on March 9, with an emphasis on free glaucoma screenings for individuals. Since the launch of the campaign, they had consistently seen approximately 30 patients daily for glaucoma-related evaluations in the OPD.
He said that, on average, two to three cases of glaucoma are identified daily out of a total of 30 individuals checked. He also said that the screening process for this condition is based on specific symptoms, which include headaches, vision difficulties and an inability to perceive the full spectrum of sight, among others. He said the campaign has achieved a remarkable success rate. The primary goal of the initiative is to facilitate early detection of glaucoma to reduce the risk of blindness in the population.
Additionally, he observed that individuals over the age of 40 are more frequently diagnosed with this condition. Ojha stated that there is a general lack of awareness regarding glaucoma among the public. He emphasised that the key to preventing this condition is early diagnosis. Therefore, if anyone notices any symptoms related to eye health or experiences changes in their vision, it is important to consult an eye specialist promptly, he said.
