MEC Madoda Sambatha raise awareness about the dangers of glaucoma, a silent robber of vision
The North West department of Health will join the world to raise awareness about the dangers of Glaucoma on the week of 06 – 12 March 2022. World Glaucoma Week (WGW) is a global initiative of the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) that puts a spotlight on glaucoma as the leading cause of preventable irreversible blindness worldwide.
Glaucoma is condition where the eye’s optic nerve, which provides information to the brain, is damaged with or without raised intraocular pressure. If untreated, this will cause gradual vision loss.
Early detection of glaucoma is key to preventing later sight loss, as is the importance of sight tests to detect possible glaucoma so that it can be diagnosed by an eye doctor and treated in the community where possible.
Initially the condition remains asymptomatic but the gradual progression may lead to symptoms such as: Loss of peripheral or side vision, seeing halos around lights and glare in bright light, redness in the eye, eye pain, eye that looks hazy (particularly in infants), Narrow or tunnel vision and vision loss. Upon experiencing this symptoms, visit your health care provider for diagnosis and treatment.
Increased pressure inside the eye due to the obstructed flow of aqueous humor may lead to glaucoma. Others include Family history, association with other diseases like systemic hypotension, diabetes mellitus, burn or chemical injury to the eye or trauma to the eye, severe eye infection or inflammation (uveitis) and diseases of retina leading to abnormal vessels on the iris that may cause glaucoma
“The department have a capable team optometrists that are on a continuous basis treat and restore eyesight. In a joint operation last year, Mahikeng Provincial Hospital and Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital had a marathon operations to restore eyesight. This initiative saw 36 patients being operated and restored total eyesight in one weekend just to highlight one achievement.” said MEC Madoda Sambatha
“We have also increased capacity by establishing four (4) optical laboratories located at Mahikeng Provincial Hospital, Joe Morolong Memorial Hospital, Klerksdorp Hospital and Job Shimankana Tabane Hospital which are able to produce spectacles from the facility that limiting waiting time for patients to receive their prescription glasses” concluded Sambatha.
There is no cure for glaucoma as yet, and vision loss is irreversible. However medication or surgery (traditional or laser) can halt or slow-down any further vision loss. Therefore early detection is essential to limiting visual impairment and preventing the progression towards severe visual handicap or blindness. Your eye-care professional can detect glaucoma in its early stages and advise you on the best course of action.
Media enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Cell: 067 422 7763
E-mail: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
Motlalepula Lekoma
Cell: 082 089 7117
E-mail: LekomaM@nwpg.gov.za
