Date, History, Facts about Glaucoma

World Glaucoma Day is observed annually on March 12 around the globe. This is an essential day that aims to raise awareness about glaucoma, a group of eye diseases. The day is part of a week-long effort to raise awareness and ensure early detection of this disease. Early detection of glaucoma increases the likelihood that the disease can be stopped or at least slowed down with appropriate treatment. The blindness caused by glaucoma is irreversible, but the disease can be treated and blindness can be prevented if detected early on.

The background of World Glaucoma Day

World Glaucoma Day is observed annually on March 12. This day is observed globally as part of the week designated to raise awareness and eliminate glaucoma-related impairment.

Several eye diseases called glaucoma can cause vision loss by causing damage to the optic nerve. Frequently, diseases develop slowly and painlessly, making them simple to overlook until it’s too late. Glaucomatous blindness is irreversible. However, if detected early, the disease is treatable.

Damage caused by glaucoma to the optic nerve can be treated to stop or at least delay the progression of the disease. Despite the fact that some causes of glaucoma have a sudden onset, these diseases typically develop progressively and can be detected in time to prevent blindness.

The primary cause of glaucoma is an accumulation of fluid that leads to an increase in intraocular pressure. Glaucoma disease is caused by the inability of the eye’s aqueous humour to drain normally. Aqueous humour is a natural fluid secreted by the eye.

Typically, the fluid empties out of the eye and is replaced by constant production of new aqueous humour. However, if there is a problem with the drainage angle, the fluid will be retained in the eye, and the pressure on the optic nerve will increase over time. As a consequence of the pressure, fibres on the optic nerve begin to die. All the fibres eventually perish, resulting in total, irreversible blindness.

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5 GLAUCOMA FACTS THAT WILL SURPRISE YOU

Glaucoma is one of the most prevalent causes of blindness around the globe.

The likelihood of developing glaucoma increases with age; additional risk factors include family history and steroid use.

There are three varieties of glaucoma, depending on how the blockage forms: open-angle glaucoma, angle-closure glaucoma, and normal-tension glaucoma.

Treatments for glaucoma include eye drops to reduce eye pressure or fluid volume, as well as laser surgery to produce fluid drainage.

Although the risk of developing glaucoma increases with age and a number of risk factors, virtually everyone is at risk of developing the disease at all stages of life.

WORLD GLAUCOMA DAY DATES