Dikhyaa Mohanty 
There are about 78 million glaucoma sufferers worldwide, of which only 16 million live in India. At AIIMS Bhubaneswar, four to five individuals with glaucoma are identified for every 100 patients that visit the eye OPD. On the occasion of World Glaucoma Week, AIIMS Bhubaneswar Executive Director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas stated that the majority of patients had glaucoma that was only recently discovered and had no symptoms.
Dr. Biswas recommended all patients and members of the risk group, such as those who are older than 40, have a family history of the disease, or have diabetes and high blood pressure, to get screened for glaucoma because it may be treated if found in its earliest stages. He gave the glaucoma sufferers medicine kits as well.
“World is Bright, Preserve Your Sight” is the theme for this year. Executive Director Dr. Ashutosh Biswas, Medical Superintendent Dr. Dillip Kumar Parida, and Dean Dr. Prashanta Raghab Mohapatra were present for an awareness session and meeting. Dr. Sucheta Parija, department head, provided information on glaucoma and the population at risk. Dr. Bhagabat Nayak discussed the glaucoma treatment options provided by AIIMS Bhubaneswar.
