Ignoring glaucoma could lead to blindness: Harish Rao

Hyderabad: Glaucoma can lead to a gradual loss of sight if left ignored for long, which is why everyone should get their eyes checked at least once a year, observed health minister T Harish Rao here on Sunday. He cautioned that people who suffer from glaucoma do not realize it in the initial stages that this could develop into a serious condition.

Rao was speaking after flagging off a Glaucoma awareness rally at Sarojini Devi Eye Hospital marking the World Glaucoma Day. He said that those suffering from hypertension and diabetes were prone to the disease. This can also apply to those under severe stress, he said.

Around three per cent of 40 plus people suffering from hypertension or diabetes worldwide suffer from this condition, he said with 10 per cent of them eventually losing eyesight. He said he will soon conduct a comprehensive review of the functioning of the SD Eye Hospital.

He said that the Kanti Velugu programme for testing vision of everyone and providing corrective glasses or follow up visits has gone a long way in creating awareness about the importance of eye health. He said that around 50 lakh people were tested for eye health in the state under the programme.