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Glaucoma poster officially launched
A poster sensitizing the public on glaucoma was officially launched yesterday at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC), compliments of Ansa McAl.
Public Health Minister Dr. George Norton along with Dr. Shailendra Sugrim (right), an Ophthalmologist at the GPHC with representatives from Ansa McAl
The poster, which has all the vital information on glaucoma, was handed over to the hospital’s department of Ophthalmology by an Ansa McAl representative. Minister of Public Health, Dr. George Norton accepted the poster.
According to the Minister, the main purpose of the poster is to aid in public awareness about the disease which is commonly referred to as “the silent killer of sight,” and to encourage persons at risk to undergo screening.
Copies of the poster will be placed at various locations across the country. The poster was launched in time for World Glaucoma Week which is being observed until March 12. During this time, persons can access free screening at the GPHC.
The Minister thanked the company for making the donation.
Glaucoma is an eye disease in which the optic nerve (the nerve primarily responsible for sight) is damaged in a characteristic pattern. This can permanently damage vision in the affected eye(s) and lead to blindness if left untreated.
The disease can be categorized into two types: Open-Angle and Closed-Angle.
The angle refers to the area between the iris and cornea, through which fluid must flow to escape via the trabecular meshwork (a sieve-like structure). In Open-angle glaucoma, even though the angle is wide and open, slow clogging of the drainage canals can increase the eye pressure.
In Closed-Angle glaucoma there is a closed or narrow angle between the iris and cornea. As a result, drainage is obstructed and results in a sudden rise in intraocular pressure.
Glaucoma is generally a disease of aging, more frequent in patients over age 60, but if a person has other risk factors (genetic, structural and systemic) that can affect their drainage system, thus it can occur in younger persons.
Open-Angle Glaucoma is more common locally.
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