Every year on March 12, World Glaucoma Day is commemorated to promote awareness of glaucoma and to remind everyone to get regular eye (and optic nerve) exams in order to diagnose glaucoma as early as feasible. However, if diagnosed and treated early, glaucoma is one of the most common causes of permanent blindness. However, if diagnosed and treated early, the damage can be reduced and sight can be saved.
Some people might have optic nerves that are sensitive to normal eye pressure, and this is known as hypersensitivity. This indicates that they are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma than the general population. As a result, the primary goal of World Glaucoma Day is to raise public awareness of glaucoma blindness and so eliminate it.
History of World Glaucoma Day
According to the World Health Organization, 4.5 million individuals are blind as a result of glaucoma. At least 12 million individuals in India are plagued with glaucoma, which causes irreversible blindness in almost 1.2 million people. Glaucoma is the primary cause of permanent blindness in the country.
From March 12 to March 18, glaucoma advocates, caregivers, healthcare professionals, and patients will come together to commemorate World Glaucoma Week 2023, which will take place all around the world. The World Glaucoma Day event is organized by the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and the World Glaucoma Patient Network (WGPN). The goal of this annual event is to raise awareness about glaucoma, also known as the “silent thief of sight,” and to encourage people to get regular eye exams in order to detect the disease early.
World Glaucoma Day 2023 Date
World Glaucoma Week will be commemorated from March 12-18, 2023. The theme of the week is “reflects the optimism that with frequent testing, people will continue to perceive the world around them: full of beauty, charm, and adventure.” It is said in the slogan, “The world is brilliant; protect your vision!”
| Event name | Day | Date |
| World Glaucoma Day 2023 | Sunday | 12th March, 2023 |
Facts about Glaucoma
- Glaucoma is a term used to describe a collection of eye illnesses that are characterized by gradual and irreversible damage to the optic nerve (the nerve in the eye that is responsible for vision), and which, if left untreated, can result in permanent vision loss and even blindness in certain cases.
- A significant risk factor for glaucoma is a rise in intraocular pressure; nevertheless, persons with normal intraocular pressure can still acquire the condition.
- A variety of glaucoma varieties have been identified by the World Health Organization (WHO).
- The two most prevalent are primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG), which has a delayed and insidious start, and angle-closure glaucoma (ACG), which is less frequent and tends to be more severe.
- Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness in the world, after cataracts.
Activities to take part in World Glaucoma Day?
- On the World Glaucoma Week website, there is an interactive map that allows you to view what events are taking place in various locations all around the world. You may also add your own local event to their calendar by submitting it to them. There is also a free, downloadable toolkit available on the website, which contains tools for creating your own signs, articles, infographics, and other items.
- If you are a supplier of eye care services or a member of an eye care organization, you should consider implementing the following actions, as recommended by the World Glaucoma Association:
- Organize a COVID-19-friendly screening event for glaucoma sufferers at a local institution or hospital to benefit the community.
- Arrange a free Zoom webinar with eye physicians and experts for a patient support group to be held at a time convenient for you.
- Find a radio and/or television show in your area where you can talk about glaucoma and answer questions about it.
- Make contact with your local newspapers to get a piece on glaucoma and World Glaucoma Week published. You may also organize a social media campaign to raise awareness about glaucoma.
FAQs
World Glaucoma Week (WGW) is being observed from March 12 to March 18, 2023, as part of a global collaboration between the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and the World Glaucoma Patient Committee (WGPC) to increase awareness about glaucoma and its treatment.
For many people, regular eye exams with dilation can detect early indications of glaucoma and prevent them from becoming completely blind. The month of January is designated as Glaucoma Awareness Month, and the recognized awareness color for glaucoma is green.
Foods high in vitamins A and C, such as cabbage, kale, spinach, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, celery, carrots, peaches, radishes, green beans, and beets, have been demonstrated to improve eye health and reduce the chance of developing glaucoma in humans.
