On the occasion of World Glaucoma week, a Glaucoma awareness walkathon was organised by the Drishti Eye Institute on Sunday.
The walk started from the institute at 9.30 am and was flagged off by the president, Rotary Club Dehradun, Dr S Farooq and Secretary, Dehradun Ophthalmological Society, Dr Deepesh Arora.
The walk was organised under joint aegis of Dehradun Ophthalmological Society and Glaucoma Society of India in association with SJA Alumni Association, Rotary E Club Dehradun 3080, Rotary Club Dehradun and Art of living.
Speaking on the occasion, the Senior Glaucoma Consultant, Drishti Eye Institute, Dr Neelam Verma said that Glaucoma is an eye condition where patients do not realise that they are being affected by the disease until they become either partially or completely blind.
“Today we are able to detect Glaucoma at its earliest stage, saving vision of millions people. Regular eye checkups and healthy lifestyle is a must for restricting the disease,” she said.
The Senior Consultant and Director, Drishti Eye Institute, Dr Saurabh luthra said that Glaucoma — locally called Kala Motia is the second commonest cause for blindness worldwide. He informed that the estimated number of glaucoma patients is over 12 million in India. Dr luthra said that people over 40 years of age, with family history of glaucoma, diabetes or high blood pressure are at a greater risk of developing glaucoma. He added that Drishti Eye Institute is also running a special free Glaucoma screening camp, from March 7 to 12 in its campus.