Health Ministry sets up task force to combat glaucoma
New Delhi: A national task force has been set up by the Health Ministry to reduce the incidence of irreversible blindness caused due to glaucoma.
Glaucoma is caused when the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged, and it is prevalent in the country and is the cause of 12 per cent of blindness seen in India, Dr Ramanjit Sihota, HOD of Glaucoma at AIIMS said.
“The aim is to train district ophthalmologists across the country on early diagnosis and appropriate management of glaucoma to prevent loss of vision. If detected and treated early on, blindness can be completely prevented,” Dr Sihota said.
There is lack of awareness in district ophthalmologists, especially in rural areas and thus it is necessary that they are trained and made aware about the importance of early detection, she said.
According to Chief of RP Centre for Ophthalmic Sciences, AIIMS, 50 per cent of people in India do not know they have glaucoma as it is generally asymptomatic. Also regular eye practise is not prevalent in India.
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