In an effort to create awareness on preventable causes of blindness such as glaucoma, the Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development will this week educate, screen and treat patients will eye illnesses at different hospitals in Tshwane.
This campaign which is in association with the Islamic Association of South Africa is in commemoration of World Glaucoma Week, 6 to 12 March. By the end of the week, people diagnosed with glaucoma will be operated on at Tshwane District Hospital.
Glaucoma is an eye disease that involves damage to the optic nerve. This nerve helps to send signals to the brain. High pressure in the eye is a contributor to this disease and the pressure in the eye can damage the optic nerve and lead to a reduced visual areas which may later cause blindness.
People who are at risk of this disease include people who are over the age of 40 years, diabetes, regular steroid use and previous eye injury.
Glaucoma develops slowly over several years and many people don’t realise that they have the disease until they lose some or all of their eyesight.
Ophthalmologists from University of Pretoria together with Steve Biko Academic and Tshwane district hospitals will be conducting an educational, screening and treatment campaign from today until Friday at different hospitals in Tshwane.
The department encourages community members to visit different eye clinics for check-ups to diagnose glaucoma.
The details for the eye care drive are as follows:
Date: 8 and 10 March 2011
Venue: Eye clinic - Tshwane district hospital
Time: 09h00 to 12h00
Date: 9 March 2011
Venue: Eye clinic-Pretoria West Hospital
Time: 09h00 to 12h00
Date: 9 and 11 March 2011
Venue: Eye Clinic – Steve Biko Academic hospital
Time: 09h00 to 12h00
Date: 10 March 2011
Venue: Eye clinic - Mamelodi hospital
Time: 09h00 to 12h00
Enquiries:
Keneilwe Mahlangu
Cell: 072 284 4865
Dr Motala
Cell: 082 473 6529
