A world without glaucoma

MANILA, Philippines - Glaucoma is slowly blinding Filipinos every day and it’s not leaving without pain or duress. With World Glaucoma Week coming in, the time is right for doctors and patients alike to fight the disease.

The Philippine Glaucoma Society (PGS) is bringing in the best activities and events to Filipinos as it sparks the beginning of a world without glaucoma.

“Glaucoma is a grave condition that requires everyone’s attention. World Glaucoma Week is just the beginning of a series of events that we hope will spread awareness to all Filipinos nationwide that early detection is the only way to stop glaucoma in its tracks. The way to the light begins today,” said PGS president Dr. Jose Ma. Martinez.

Glaucoma is an eye disease that gradually steals vision. It damages the optic nerve, which is the nerve that delivers information from the eye to the brain. Damage to the optic nerve shrinks the visual field and eventually causes blindness. In some cases of glaucoma, patients experience eye pain, blurred vision, eye redness, headache, vomiting and seeing rainbows around the eyes.

It shows no symptoms and comes without a warning, which is why PGS advocates for the early detection of glaucoma in patients.

The PGS is holding surgical caravans, Facebook photo contests, mall events, and sponsorships of glaucoma procedures and surgeries for indigent patients in Manila, Davao, and Cebu.

For more information, visit www.philglaucomasociety.org.