Georgetown- As the world population ages, Glaucoma has now become an undeniably prominent cause of blindness. WHO statistics show that glaucoma is now the second leading cause of blindness globally, after cataracts. Whilst cataract is a curable disease, glaucoma, however, presents perhaps an even greater public health challenge than cataracts, because the blindness it causes is irreversible. It is now accepted globally and by the WHO that Glaucoma is the number one cause for irreversible blindness. The main reason why glaucoma has now become the second leading cause of blindness is due to the larger aged population in the world. The world population aged 50 years and over has increased by 30% since 1990. In developed countries, the increase in people over 50 was 16% but in developing countries it was 47%. Statistics from 2002 show that there are about 37 million people blind worldwide. More than 82% of all blind people are 50 years and older. 12% of all blind persons worldwide are due to glaucoma (approximately 4.5 million) and this is expected to increase to approximately 11 million in 2020.\
The PR Office of GPHC wishes to inform that as there is now a Glaucoma specialist attached to the institution, there is ongoing screening,treatment and management of all patients at the eye clinic.
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