Glaucoma is one of the world's leading causes of vision loss and blindness. Vision organizations around the globe highlight this disease as a research and public health priority during World Glaucoma Week. A glaucoma club is established in Xicheng district. The first group of glaucoma patients recently gathered in the club, where experts disseminated knowledge on glaucoma. Healthy citizens can also check their eye pressure here for free.
Glaucoma affects nearly 70 million people in the world. People who have a family history of glaucoma are at a higher risk for this condition. It is a group of diseases that damage the optic nerve, so the transmission of visual information to the brain slowly decreases. The most common form of glaucoma is called primary open-angle glaucoma. In this condition, fluid builds up in the front chamber of the eye, and the optic nerve is damaged by the resulting increase in eye pressure.
Experts at the club told citizens that glaucoma usually begins silently with gradual, painless vision loss during midlife. Early diagnosis is crucial because once vision is lost it cannot be regained. Only an eye care professional can detect the subtle early signs of glaucoma, through a comprehensive dilated eye examination.
