‘Glaucoma number one threat to eyesight’

LAHORE: Post Graduate Medical Institute and Ameer ud Din Medical College  Principal Prof Ghiyas un Nabi Tayyab has said one can be deprived of eyesight due to glaucoma as it is considered the number one threat to the eyesight.

In order to stop this disease from spreading, not only the government but the civil society, media and medical experts must also play their role to sensitise the masses regarding its timely diagnose and treatment.

Prof Tayyab expressed these views while addressing a seminar held at Lahore General Hospital in connection with the World Glaucoma Day, according to a press release issued here on Sunday. The event was attended by a large number of doctors, nurses, paramedics and attendants of the patients.

Dr Ghiyas un Nabi Tayyab said that a series of seminars, workshops and walks had been underway at LGH under the PGMI Health Education Programme so that the masses could be well aware of symptoms, diagnose and treatment process of various diseases. He stressed upon the doctors to sensitise their patients and general public about the importance of the slogan, “Prevention is better than cure.”

Prof Muhammad Mueen and Prof Abdul Hayee threw light on the symptoms and complications of glaucoma and said that 76 million people of age group from 40 years to 80 years would be prey to glaucoma till 2020. They said one million people in Pakistan were suffering from this disease which was mostly due to lack of information about this disease and not approaching doctors timely. They said that all people over the age of 40 must have eye tests annually, especially diabetics should be in permanent contact with doctor to avoid this threat.

The experts were of the view that pressure on the inner part of the eyes was an indication of this disease. They said that it was very important to know that the moment its treatment was started, the patients could be able to secure the remaining eyesight in most of the cases, therefore, the process should begin as early as possible. They also said that all facilities were avaislable at LGH for the free of cost treatment of glaucoma.