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Udupi, 13th March 2021: Glaucoma is a leading cause of permanent blindness. World Glaucoma Week is celebrated worldwide in the second week of March every year with the intention of creating more awareness regarding glaucoma.  On the occasion of World Glaucoma week 2021, Dr TMA Pai Hospital, Manipal, Department of Ophthalmology, Kasturba Medical College and Hospital, Manipal, and Department of Optometry –MCHP launched the Glaucoma Support Group and Free Screening and awareness Program on 13th March 2021. The theme for Glaucoma week 2021 is “The world is bright, save your sight”.

It reflects the hope that with regular testing, people continue to see the world around us.

Mrs. Shaila Rao, Retired teacher, Educator, and former president of Rotary Club Manipal inaugurated the free screening camp and said, “Since glaucoma is found without any symptoms, the only remedy is to check the eye periodically and get proper treatment on the advice of a doctor. She requested all the people to create more and more awareness to the general public with the help of the Glaucoma Support Group, which is inaugurated today”.

Dr. Vinod Bhat, Executive Vice President, MAHE, Manipal inaugurated Glaucoma Support Group and his presidential address he said, “This is the very good initative of the team to start Glaucoma Support Group and this will be the common platform to exchange of information, support each other and also he suggested to develop glaucoma awareness booklets in Kannada and English language to educate the patients.

In his address Dr. Sharath Kumar, Dean KMC Manipal said, “Glaucoma is called silent fever it kills the vision silently because it usually does not show any symptoms. But slowly the vision is decreasing. The lost vision cannot be recovered back but the present vision can be retained with regular screening and treatment”.

 Mr. C G Muthana, COO, Dr. Avinash Shetty, Medical Superintendent, Kasturba Hospital Manipal, Dr. Shashikiran Umakanth, Medical Superintendent, Dr. TMA Pai Hospital, Udupi, Dr. Sulatha V Bhandary, Head of Dept. of Ophthalmology, Dr. Ramesh S V, Head of Department of Optometry, MCHP were present in the program.  Mrs. Vasanthi a glaucoma patient shared her experience with the gathering. Dr. Neetha KIR, Assistant professor and consultant glaucoma specialist at Kasturba Hospital, gave an overview of the Glaucoma Support group. Dr. Shasikiran Umakanth welcomed the gathering and Dr. Sulatha V Bhandary proposed the vote of thanks. DR Priyanka Ramesh, Senior Resident and Glaucoma specialist and Dr Alisha Kulkarni, Junior Resident conducted the program. Patients and relatives were educated regarding glaucoma and free glaucoma screening was done by Dr. Neetha and Dr. Priyanka with the support of other ophthalmologist and optometrists. Free glaucoma medications were given to the patients. Excellent response was seen by the glaucoma patients.