By BAKANG MOKOTO
13 March 2025- North West Department of Health said it joins the global community to observe the World Glaucoma Week. The department said this year’s theme is: “Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World” and focuses on bringing communities worldwide to fight together against glaucoma blindness.
The North West MEC for Health, Sello Lehari said Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness, but with early treatment, the damage may get limited and sight may be
saved. Lehari said Glaucoma Awareness Week is a dedicated to cast a spotlight on the growing
prevalence of glaucoma and the need for early detection and management.
“The awareness campaign seeks to educate the public about the disease, its risks, and the
simple steps individuals can take to protect their vision. Through community outreach, medical advocacy and public health initiatives, the month emphasises awareness as the first step toward prevention.
“This global call to action unites individuals, healthcare professionals and organisations in a shared mission to reduce the impact of glaucoma worldwide” he said.
Lehari urges members of the public to pay attention to
their eye health and to undergo regular tests. He said his department promote regular testing and also want glaucoma patients to get their relatives involved, as the chances
of them getting glaucoma are higher than someone with no glaucoma history in their
close family environment.
“An overview of glaucoma
Glaucoma is a progressive eye disease that damages the optic nerve, often due to
elevated pressure within the eye. Left untreated, it can lead to irreversible vision loss,
starting with peripheral vision and potentially resulting in blindness.
“What makes glaucoma particularly insidious is its asymptomatic early stages, which often delay diagnosis until significant damage has occurred.
There are several types of glaucoma, with open-angle glaucoma being the most
common,” said Lehari.
He further said this form develops gradually and is often painless, making routine eye
exams critical for early detection. Lehari added that Angle-closure glaucoma, in contrast, presents
more abruptly and can cause sudden eye pain, blurred vision, and nausea, necessitating immediate medical attention.
“Other forms include congenital
glaucoma, secondary glaucoma, and normal-tension glaucoma, each with unique
characteristics that underscore the complexity of this condition,” said Lehari.
The Guardian 