Glaucoma:

Free tests for Lankans over 50

Nadira Gunatilleke

Sri Lankans above 50 years are to be screened for Glaucoma free of charge. Priority will be given to rural areas, Health Ministry Media Coordinator W M D Wanninayake said.

According to Wanninayake, around 14 percent of blind people who take treatment at the Colombo National Eye Hospital, had become blind due to Glaucoma.

The hospital detects daily around 100 persons with the risk of having Glaucoma pre-glaucoma or having Glaucoma. Wanninayake said Health Minister Maithripala Sirisena had instructed National Eye Hospital officials and Vision 2020 program to conduct screening programs covering the entire country. He also instructed them to give priority to rural areas where people are not aware about Glaucoma and its risk.

It is expected to complete screening in a few districts by March next year, he said.

"Special attention is to be paid on screening elders in the North and East because they had not been able to obtain eye care for a long time due to terrorism and war. Awareness programs will be organized countrywide.

The Minister arrived at this decision after meeting several Glaucoma patients in rural areas during his inspection tours," he said.

A large number of elders become victims of Glaucoma due to lack of awareness. Due to the silent progression of the disease (at least in its early stages) up to 50 percent of affected persons in developed countries are not aware of having Glaucoma. This number may rise to 90 percent in developing countries, he added.