World Glaucoma Day 2010
Friday 12th March 2010 marks the third World Glaucoma Day - launched by the World Glaucoma Association and World Glaucoma Patient Association to raise awareness of this disabling eye disease.
Above: An Ethiopian woman is diagnosed with Glaucoma. Photo: CBM
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve. If left, the nerve becomes so damaged that blindness occurs. This blindness is usually irreversible and therefore it is essential to receive screening and treatment in the early stages.
In the developed world, glaucoma is uncommon among persons under the age of 40, but the prevalence increases with age. Other risk factors include raised pressure inside the eye, a positive family history, and belonging to a susceptible ethnic group. In the developing world, the disease knows no boundaries and can affect all ages.
The Sneak Thief of Sight
Around 50% of people in the developed world are unaware that they have glaucoma. In the developing world this is probably closer to 90%.
Glaucoma affects the optic nerve and if it remains undetected over a period of time, it can steal sight. This has led to Glaucoma being known as 'the sneak thief of sight'.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there are around 4.5 million people who have already been blinded due to glaucoma. It is also estimated that 60.5 million will have the glaucoma disease by the year 2010.
CBM and Glaucoma
CBM is a founding member of Vision 2020: The Right to Sight - a global initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), to eliminate avoidable blindness in partnership with leading eye health organisations. In 2008, CBM's partners saw over 300,000 patients with glaucoma and performed more than 31,000 operations to save sight.
Our partner projects including those in India and Benin, are fully trained to diagnose, treat and support patients who face living with glaucoma. CBM funds services such as school screening campaigns, and the provision of local training and equipment.
Further Reading
- World Glaucoma Day - Official website
- Glaucoma - Information about Glaucoma from the World Health Organization (WHO)
- Glaucoma - NHS Direct