World Glaucoma Week 2021: The world is bright, save your sight!

What is the need?

It is estimated that around 80 million people have glaucoma worldwide. 

• Approximately 50% of the individuals with glaucoma are unaware that they have the disease, and this number may be even higher in underdeveloped countries.
• Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world accounting for up to 8% of total blindness ( 4.5 million people). 
• In India, glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness with at least 12 million people affected and nearly 1.2 million people blind from the disease. 
• More than 90 percent of cases of glaucoma remain undiagnosed in the community. 
• Glaucoma prevalence also increases with age.  
• It is reported that while anyone has about 2.3% lifetime risk of glaucoma, first-degree relatives (FDRs) of glaucoma patients have a ten-fold increase in the risk of glaucoma.

So, making people aware of the need, for glaucoma investigations including examination of the optic nerve may save blindness in a large number of people.

When is it celebrated?

World Glaucoma Week will be celebrated from 7 to 13 March, 2021 as a global joint initiative between the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and the World Glaucoma Patient Committee (WGPC) to raise awareness on glaucoma.

• The goal of this week is to alert everyone to have regular eye (and optic nerve) check-ups to detect glaucoma as early as possible.
• The overarching goal of this campaign is for everyone to know about the disease called ‘glaucoma’ and encourage the general public to go and get tested.
• The theme for WGW 2021 IS 'The World is Bright, Save your Sight!' reflects the hope that with regular testing, people continue to see the world around us: full of beauty, charm, and adventure. 

What is glaucoma?

Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive, degenerative disorder of the optic nerve that produces characteristic visual field damage. Glaucoma is the second cause of blindness, and importantly: it is irreversible.

• This is because, in its early stages, glaucoma is asymptomatic. If untreated, glaucoma may progress to blindness.
• Though raised pressure of the eye (pressure maintained by fluid in the eye) is an important risk factor, a few individuals can develop glaucoma even with the normal pressure of the eye.

Periodic testing allows the early diagnosis to prevent visual disability.

Risk Factors:

• Having high internal eye pressure (intraocular pressure).
• Age above 60.
• Family History. 
• Having certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and sickle cell anaemia.
• Having certain eye conditions, such as myopia.
• Had certain types of eye surgery.
• Taking corticosteroid medications, especially eyedrops, for a long time.

Preventive measures:

Regular eye care: 

• Regular comprehensive eye examinations are recommended once every 2/3 years after the age of 40 and every year after the age of 60. 
• Individuals with risk factors for glaucoma may need more frequent screening examinations.

Treatment:

• Once diagnosed with Glaucoma, treatment is required lifelong and anti-glaucoma eye drops have to be instilled regularly as prescribed even if the patient has no symptoms.

Control of systemic diseases:

• Hypertension and diabetes need to be well controlled as inadequate control of these conditions is a risk factor for the progression of glaucoma. 

Develop a healthy lifestyle:

• A healthy diet and healthy lifestyle can help to prevent and control systemic illnesses, thereby decrease the risk of glaucoma progression. 
• Taking a diet rich in salads / green vegetables, aerobic exercise, deep breathing, and relaxation, stopping cigarette smoking, meditation, etc. can help to reduce the stress associated with the disease and also may reduce IOP.
• Any Yoga asana with head down posture (shirshasana) should not be performed as it can increase the IOP.

Protective eyewear:

• Both blunt and penetrating trauma to the eye are known risk factors for glaucoma. 
• Individuals at risk of injury to the eye like those using power tools and those playing high-speed sports must use protective eyewear to prevent injury to the eye.

Check use of steroids:

• Eye drops containing steroids should be avoided or used for a short period with regular IOP checks to prevent the development of glaucoma.
• With regular treatment and follow-up, most patients can preserve a good quality of vision throughout their lifetime.

References:

1. https://www.worldglaucomaweek.org/
2. https://wga.one/wga/world-glaucoma-week/#:~:text=March%207%2D13%2C%202021,to%20raise%20awareness%20on%20glaucoma.
3. https://www.nhp.gov.in/world-glaucoma-week_pg#:~:text=World%20Glaucoma%20Week%20will%20be,up%2C%20including%20optic%20nerve%20examination.
4. https://www.eyedoctors.ie/campaigns/glaucomaweek/
5. https://www.glaucoma.org/news/world-glaucoma-week.php
6. https://www.nhp.gov.in/glaucoma-week-2020_pg