Global Ophthalmology and Glaucoma Conference

Glaucoma is a leading cause for irreversible blindness in the world. It is estimated that currently nearly 70 million people are affected by glaucoma worldwide. Treatment for glaucoma is widely available and blindness from glaucoma can be prevented if the disease is detected early and treatment is given on time. However, the main challenge in glaucoma facing our country is that nearly 90% of glaucoma in the community is undetected. There is also a need for improving training for ophthalmologists for diagnosis of glaucoma, as there is poor diagnostic rate for those who undergo a routine ophthalmic evaluation. Still there are many missed out cases of glaucoma and also over diagnosed cases of either normal or glaucoma suspects or ocular hypertension or miss diagnosis of open or closed angles. When a patient is evaluated in the outpatient department, it is crucial for the eye surgeon to evaluate the optic disc to detect early changes, to view the anterior chamber to identify open or closed angles. Once there is a suspicion of glaucoma, standard automated perimetry should be performed and repeated in case a visual field defect is seen. This is an interactive session where I have put the real cases photographs (clinical & investigations) and it will be discussed with panelists about glaucoma diagnosis and management. Finally the take home message for each case will be given to audience.