PRINCE KUMAR
Ranchi, Mar 11: To inform people of the hazardous effect of Glaucoma (optic nerve damage), RIMS Director Dr Kameshwar Prasad flagged off the awareness rally on the occasion of Glaucoma Awareness Week.
Explaining about Glaucoma, professor of the Eye Department of RIMS Dr Rajiv Kumar Gupta said that Glaucoma is a disease that damages the eye’s optic nerve which happens when fluid builds up in the front part of the eye. The extra fluid that gets accommodated increases the pressure in the eye, damaging the optic nerve.
“Early detection and careful lifelong treatment can maintain vision in most people. At the same time, a general checkup for glaucoma should be done every two to four years before the age of 40. For the age between 40 to 54 a regular checkup is required every one to three years, every one to two years for ages 55 to 64 and every six to 12 months for ages above 65,” Dr Rajiv said.
“It is a silent killer as it makes the person blind without even making him aware of the disease. While there are no ways of preventing glaucoma, blindness or significant vision loss from glaucoma can be prevented if the disease is recognised in the early stages,” Dr Rajiv added.
“The loss of vision due to glaucoma is irreversible but can be stopped at that stage with help of medications which helps in decreasing the eye pressure and maintaining the left vision capability of the eyes,” Dr Rajiv further said.
The rally ended after leaving the superintendent’s office and reaching the emergency via Bariatu police station, Medical Chowk, RIMS complex. During the rally, the head of the department appealed to the common people that more and more people should come to the camp and get their eyes checked.
On the occasion of Glaucoma Week in the OPD of the Eye Department, free eye patients were examined and treated for glaucoma. Dr Rajiv Kumar Gupta, Head of Department of Regional Eye Institute, RIMS, Associate Professor Dr Deepak Lakra, Dr Rahul Prasad, Dr Sunil Kumar, Senior Resident, Junior Resident, Officer of Eye Board, Trainee Eye Assistant and all the employees of the department were present in the program.
