National prog for control of glaucoma demanded

Allahabad, Nov 25 (UNI) Uttar Pradesh State Ophthalmological Society (UPSOS) today stressed the need for launching a national programme for control of glaucoma, like for cataract blindness.

In her presidential address at the UPSOS' 41st annual conference here, Society president Prof F A Jilani said glaucoma was a disease, whose etiology and treatment was still not fully established.

''A major problem with glaucoma is that its early detection is difficult, by which time significant damage of ganglion cells have already occurred. Early detection is in even lower proportion in developing countries compared to the developed world.'' Referring to recent developments in the field, she said we still need to determine the validity of these techniques in establishing the diagnosis earlier than using automated perimetry. ''Therefore, persons above 40 yrs of age should be checked for glaucoma.'' Prof Jilani, however, said, it was difficult in our country with limited resources and lack of health education. ''People at risk with family history of glaucoma, hypertension, and diabetes should be checked for glaucoma at regular intervals.'' She said the prevalence of glaucoma in India varies from 0.71 to 2.7 per cent.

''We should aim modalities to reduce glaucoma blindness, so that economic burden caused by it in our society is minimized.'' The expert also stressed on creating awareness among the masses.

Prof Jilani is the professor at the Institute of Ophthalmology, J N Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

She said newer techniques like selective laser trabeculoplasty [SLT], milling trabeculoplasty and sclerothalamotomy are coming up.

''Today in the modern world of gene therapy and designer babies, the scientists are on the verge of developing two very important techniques -- stem cell therapy and bone marrow stromal cell transplant.'' Prof Jilani hoped these techniques will one day make possible regeneration of optic nerve and we will be able to restore sight to patients, whose vision has irreversibly been lost due to glaucoma.

UNI JL VS RL ND1958