In this week’s blog we would like to draw our readers attention to World Glaucoma Week. Did you know that Glaucoma accounts for between 9-12% of all causes of blindness and affects an estimated 2% of the World’s Population?

World Glaucoma Week, taking place from the 8th to the 14th of March, is a global joint initiative between the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and the World Glaucoma Patient Committee (WGPC), in order to raise awareness on glaucoma. Through a series of engaging worldwide activities patients, eye-care providers, health officials and the general public are invited to contribute to sight preservation. The goal is to alert everyone to have regular eye (and optic nerve) checks in order to detect glaucoma as early as possible.

Each year, the World Glaucoma Week adopts a common theme adapted to local conditions and countries to assist in both raising more awareness on a country-wide level and unifying global message into local culture.

Glaucoma usually gives no warning until it is advanced and the damage that it can cause to vision is ongoing and has the potential to become irreversible. Fortunately, for many patients treatment can prevent further damage meaning that early diagnosis is key to halting the disease. World Glaucoma Week aims to reinforce the importance of regular eye checks, which allow earlier detection and, hence, saved sight.

The initiative aims to share successes so that the general public and practitioners across the world are better able to learn from one another and be even more effective in reaching the goal; the elimination of glaucoma blindness.

If you are concerned about Glaucoma and require an eye examination, contact our team via ncs@rogerpope.co.uk or on 02079352124.