IMS leads Iloilo's battle against Glaucoma
Global initiative aimed at raising awareness on Glaucoma, second leading cause of blindness worldwide gets an added boost in Iloilo.
While no cure as of yet and vision loss irreversible, Ilonggo eye specialists wants at-risk locals to avail of medication or surgery if only to slow-down said vision loss.
Early detection for early management is the battlecry of the group as best course of action. Such alongside the reminder -- if left untreated, most types of Glaucoma progress without warning nor obvious symptoms to the patient.
In fact, Glaucoma has earned the title, "sneak thief of sight."
Timely set as nations around the globe marks today as World Glaucoma Day, Ilonggo eye specialists banded anew for free screening and related advocacy work.
With the Iloilo Medical Society (IMS) in full support of the cause, at-risk Ilonggos will be served today at the IMS premises in Luna Street, Lapaz District.
"In an effort to support this global initiative, the Philippine Academy of Ophthalmology (PAO) Western Visayas Chapter, together with the Local Committee for Sight Preservation (LCSP) and the Western Visayas Medical Center (WVMC) Ophthalmology Department will be joining the World Glaucoma Day initiative by conducting free Glaucoma screening," PAO-LCSP's Dr. Cynthia Vailoces-Salcedo said. "Moreover, we hope that through the World Glaucoma Day worldwide initiative, we will be able to serve more of our public out there who up to now may not be aware that they have the disease or who are not aware that screening services are available whole year round with access to specialty standard equipment at the WVMC Eye Center."
Glaucoma currently affects some 65 million worldwide.
"Unfortunately, many people with Glaucoma are unaware that they have it until there is a large amount of irreversible vision loss," Dr. Salcedo added.
Screening will start 8am until 10:30am at the IMS premises today.
The News Today (TNT) gathered that screening is by Optic nerve evaluation through direct Ophthalmoscopy, Intraocular pressure measure for Glaucoma suspects. Whenever indicated, further evaluation and management will be followed up at the WVMC Eye Center.
"Patients who are considered Glaucoma suspects or diagnosed to have Glaucoma will require lifetime treatment and follow-up thus the close collaboration with the primary health care units through the Provincial Health Office, the City Health Office and Local Government Unit networks especially for the indigents that are being done to ensure sustainable care for the long term," Dr. Salcedo added.