Glaucoma impairs the transmission of visual information from the eye to the brain due to damage to the optic nerve.
6
th March 2011 marks the beginning of the 'Glaucoma
Awareness Week'.
Glaucoma impairs the
transmission of visual information from the eye to the brain due to damage to
the optic nerve. Optic nerve can be damaged because of increased eye pressure. It
is the leading cause of irreversible blindness. Due to lack of awareness
several cases still go undiagnosed. About 11.2 million people in India suffer
from glaucoma and about 1.1 million have lost their vision. Late onset of the
symptoms results in many people being unaware that they could be suffering from
glaucoma. Early diagnosis can reduce the progression of the disease. Regular eye
check up will help prevent glaucoma.
As part of the awareness week several events
have been lined up by eye institutes across the country.
Source-Medindia