Udupi: Kasturba Medical College (KMC) and Hospital, Manipal, marked World Glaucoma Week on Monday with the launch of a new Glaucoma Fellowship Programme and the commencement of glaucoma screening camps aimed at raising awareness and enabling early detection of the disease.
Dr Latha Nayak, district leprosy officer of Udupi, inaugurated the event and highlighted the critical need for more trained glaucoma specialists in India.
World Glaucoma Week, observed annually during the second week of March, aims to raise awareness about glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Known as the “silent thief of sight,” glaucoma typically shows no symptoms in its early stages, making regular eye exams essential for early diagnosis and vision preservation. This year’s theme, “Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World,” encourages individuals globally to undergo eye exams and understand the significance of early intervention.
Dr Nayak emphasised the alarming fact that up to 90% of glaucoma patients remain unaware of their condition until it reaches an advanced stage, often resulting in blindness. “It is crucial to reach out into communities and detect the disease early enough to preserve vision,” she said.
She also underlined the urgent need for glaucoma specialists in India to ensure patients receive proper care, adding that glaucoma fellowships offer comprehensive, hands-on training beyond standard postgraduate education. Additionally, she noted that many patients face financial challenges in accessing treatment.
The department of ophthalmology at KMC Manipal, in collaboration with Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) and the District Blindness Control Society, is launching glaucoma screening camps across local communities to enhance access to eye health services and facilitate early detection of the disease. The event also featured the unveiling of the Optopol PTS 2000 perimeter, an advanced diagnostic tool donated by MyHealthskape Medicals Pvt Ltd.
Dr Anand Venugopal, chief operating officer of teaching hospitals at MAHE, Manipal, performed the unveiling. Dr Yogish Kamath, head of the department of ophthalmology at KMC, emphasised the importance of ongoing education in glaucoma care. Dr Neetha KIR, a glaucoma specialist, provided an overview of the new Glaucoma Fellowship Programme, which aims to offer in-depth, hands-on training for medical professionals. The event concluded with a glaucoma screening camp.
