Egypt joins Geneva negotiations on Global Plastics Treaty, calls for urgent agreement    Egypt delivers over 30 million health services through public hospitals in H1 2025    Madinet Masr in talks for three land plots in Riyadh as part of Saudi expansion    Egypt's PM tells Palestinian PM that Rafah crossing is working 24/7 for aid    Egypt, Japan discuss economic ties, preparations for TICAD conference    Real Estate Developers urge flexible land pricing, streamlined licensing, and dollar-based transactions    Egypt's Sisi pledges full state support for telecoms, tech investment    EGP inches down vs. USD at Sunday's trading close    EGX launches 1st phone app    Escalation in Gaza, West Bank as Israeli strikes continue amid mounting international criticism    Egypt recovers collection of ancient artefacts from Netherlands    Egypt, UNDP discuss outcomes of joint projects, future environmental cooperation    Egypt harvests 315,000 cubic metres of rainwater in Sinai as part of flash flood protection measures    After Putin summit, Trump says peace deal is best way to end Ukraine war    Egypt, Namibia explore closer pharmaceutical cooperation    Jordan condemns Israeli PM remarks on 'Greater Israel'    Renowned Egyptian novelist Sonallah Ibrahim dies at 88    Egyptian, Ugandan Presidents open business forum to boost trade    Al-Sisi says any party thinking Egypt will neglect water rights is 'completely mistaken'    Egypt's Sisi warns against unilateral Nile measures, reaffirms Egypt's water security stance    Egypt's Sisi, Uganda's Museveni discuss boosting ties    Egypt, Huawei explore healthcare digital transformation cooperation    Egypt's Sisi, Sudan's Idris discuss strategic ties, stability    Egypt's govt. issues licensing controls for used cooking oil activities    Egypt to inaugurate Grand Egyptian Museum on 1 November    Egypt's Sisi: Egypt is gateway for aid to Gaza, not displacement    Greco-Roman rock-cut tombs unearthed in Egypt's Aswan    Egypt reveals heritage e-training portal    Sisi launches new support initiative for families of war, terrorism victims    Egypt expands e-ticketing to 110 heritage sites, adds self-service kiosks at Saqqara    Palm Hills Squash Open debuts with 48 international stars, $250,000 prize pool    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Early detection help avert 90 pct of glaucoma-induced blindness cases
Published in Daily News Egypt on 01 - 11 - 2011

CAIRO: Early detection and treatment initiation can help prevent around 90 percent of cases of glaucoma-induced blindness, an ophthalmology doctor said Monday at a press conference held by the Egyptian Society for the Glaucomas (ESG).
The Egyptian Society for the Glaucomas (ESG) held a press conference revealing highlights of its 11th annual meeting, during which participants tackled challenges facing the treatment and diagnosis of glaucoma, the world's leading cause of irreversible blindness.
Known as the ‘sneak thief of sight,' because it often strikes without pain or symptoms, glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that occur when internal pressure in the eye, known as intraocular pressure (IOP), increases enough to cause damage to the optic nerve, resulting in vision loss. Certain factors likely to increase the risk for glaucoma include: high IOP, age (above 60), family history, and certain medical conditions such as diabetes and hypothyroidism.
The World Health Organization (WHO) report on glaucoma, estimates that there are around 70 million suspected glaucoma cases worldwide, and forecasts that by 2020 almost 11 million glaucoma patients will lose their vision as a result of affliction. According to ESG, glaucoma afflicts 0.5-1 percent of the population in Egypt.
“Regular eye exams are key to detecting glaucoma early enough for successful preventive treatment,” said Mostafa Nassar, professor and head of ophthalmology department, Menufiya University and ESG Secretary.
“There are typically no early warning signs or symptoms for open-angle glaucoma, the most common type – it develops slowly and often without noticeable vision loss for many years. By the time a patient is aware of vision loss, the disease is usually quite advanced and the damage it has caused is irreversible.”
Nassar emphasized that early detection and treatment initiation halt the disease's progress. “Opthalmic solution Dorzolamide HCL/Timolol Maleate is one of the most efficient treatments for chronic glaucoma with an excellent safety profile. By helping reduce the amount of fluid in the eye, which in turn reduces IOP, and by improving blood circulation in the optic nerve, Dorzolamide HCL/Timolol Maleate helps preserve vision.”
Nassar listed top challenges facing glaucoma treatment in developing nations including: lack of awareness; misconception; late diagnosis; poor access to medical care; reliance on generic treatments; and poor adherence and compliance.
“To overcome these barriers, aligning government and civil efforts is essential to launch awareness campaigns educating the public on glaucoma; highlighting the crucial role of early detection and encouraging the public to go for regular annual eye check-ups starting at the age of 40,” he emphasized.
He also called for improving the infrastructure and support for primary eye care, especially in rural areas, providing patients with the best glaucoma treatments, and launching a National Program for Control of Blindness (NPCB).


Clic here to read the story from its source.