1.3 lakh Indians to go blind every year due to Glaucoma

Glaucoma is causing blindness among 1.3 lakh Indians every year and the major reason behind it is the absence of early symptoms, say doctors.

According to the medical statistics, hardly 10 percent of the Indian population knows that 68 percent of them run the risk of developing glaucoma, which can be controlled only if proper medical treatment is taken.

“Glaucoma is called the silent thief of sight because in the early stages of the disease, there may be no symptoms. This condition threatens vision and is known to gradually steal sight



without warning. By the time glaucoma is detected, the patient has already suffered extensive peripheral vision damage which can no longer be restored,” said Samir Sud, opthalmologist at Sharp Sight Group of Eyes Hospitals.

Noting that glaucoma is the leading cause of blindness in the US, he said that India is likely to be the next glaucoma capital of the world.

About its risks, another doctor said that several diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and thyroid diseases are among the reasons that may accelerate to glaucoma.