Preventing blindness

CEBU, Philippines – A group of eye diseases that progressively damage the optic nerve, glaucoma is now the 3rd most common cause of blindness in the Philippines and ranks 2nd in the world. Although glaucoma may set in as a complication of other visual disorders, the disease still has no known cause – making it highly important for regular eye check-ups to prevent and/or slow down vision loss. That is why ACES Eye Referral Clinics is encouraging the public to become more educated about the disease as the center participates in World Glaucoma Day on March 12, 2009.

In solidarity with their contemporaries the world over, the eye specialists at ACES will do their part in spreading information about glaucoma in both its Perpetual Succour Hospital and Cebu (Velez) General Hospital branches on March 11 & 14, 2009. Brief talks and an informational video will be presented to glaucoma patients and their loved ones while frequently asked questions will be answered through an open forum. A live testimonial from a glaucoma patient who has learned to cope with the disease will also follow. A family support group will then be launched to help family members of glaucoma patients become more knowledgeable about the disease and introduce them to various ways they can help the patient cope with the condition. This family support group will receive newsletters and hold bi-annual meetings featuring speakers to include psychologists, low-vision specialists, and occupational therapists among others.

On the same dates, ACES will set a schedule for FREE Glaucoma screening to its current roster of glaucoma patients, their family members, friends of family and all interested parties. (Specific dates will be posted later)

“Glaucoma is diagnosed quite late in the Philippines, and patients who consult their eye doctors usually already have irreversible damage – and we aim to correct this with our activities,” shares Dr. Pamela Tarongoy, one of the eye specialists from ACES.

The World Glaucoma Day activities by ACES will be held on March 11, 2009, 1-3pm at the ACES Cebu (Velez) General Hospital branch featuring Dr. Pamela Tarongoy and on March 14, 2009, 11-1pm at the ACES Perpetual Succour Hospital branch featuring Dr. Teodoro Gonzalez.

Interested participants to the activities may call ACES Eye Referral Clinics at 2341520, 2321727, 255-2821, 253-1871.