Eye specialists at Mengo Hospital have raised concern over the increasing number of people suffering from Glaucoma, a condition caused by high pressure in the eye that can lead to blindness if not detected early.
Doctors say the rise in cases is largely due to people failing to go for regular eye examinations.
According to the specialists, one in every 20 people currently has a problem related to eye pressure. Health workers are therefore advising the public—especially those aged 40 years and above—to regularly visit eye specialists for check-ups to determine the condition of their eyes before permanent damage occurs.
Today the world marks World Glaucoma Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about the dangers of Glaucoma and encouraging early testing.
During a press briefing held at Mengo Hospital, Dr. Dan Bwonya, the head of glaucoma services at the hospital, explained that the disease is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide after Cataracts.
“Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness after cataracts, and this means people must take greater responsibility to have their eyes examined regularly,” said Dr. Dan Bwonya.
He added that the disease does not discriminate by age or gender, although it is more common among people above 40 years.
“Glaucoma does not cause pain. Many people only realise they have a problem when their vision has already started deteriorating, even though their eyes may not be hurting,” he explained.
Doctors also note that the condition can run in families, meaning people with relatives who lost their sight due to the disease are at a higher risk and should be screened more often.
Eye specialist Lillian Awubwa warned that damage caused by glaucoma cannot easily be reversed once it occurs.
“If someone develops glaucoma and it is not treated early, the damage to vision is very difficult to reverse. That is why regular eye screening is extremely important,” she said.
Another specialist, Nambogo Harriet Rosette, revealed that some children are born with the condition.
“Some babies are born with glaucoma. Parents should seek medical attention quickly if a child is born with grey-looking eyes because it can be one of the signs of eye pressure,” she advised.
Health experts continue to urge the public to prioritize routine eye examinations to prevent avoidable blindness caused by Glaucoma