Glaucoma is often associated with high intraocular pressure and poor blood circulation, before leading to optic nerve damage, sight loss, and blindness in severe cases. (Image: Kobiz Media)
SEOUL, Mar. 12 (Korea Bizwire) — The Korean Glaucoma Society has launched a campaign this week urging people to get regular eye checkups in celebration of World Glaucoma Week 2018.
The group dedicated to glaucoma says individuals over 40 years of age or those with chronic disease such as diabetes, high blood pressure, excessive nearsightedness and family history of glaucoma face a higher chance of developing the eye illness, while recommending a visit to the eye doctor at least once a year for an early diagnosis.
Marking this year’s international week-long event designed to raise awareness of glaucoma, members of the South Korean society dedicated to the group of eye diseases will wear a special badge that reads ‘What to know about glaucoma’ and encourage patients to show interest and ask questions.
Glaucoma is seen as one of the three biggest causes of vision loss, and the World Health Organization dedicated a whole week to raising awareness of the medical condition, during which a variety of events organized by both the World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patient Association are held across the world.
Glaucoma is often associated with high intraocular pressure and poor blood circulation, before leading to optic nerve damage, sight loss, and blindness in severe cases.
Among the types of glaucoma, open angle glaucoma, which accounts for nearly 80 percent of the cases, is thought to be more dangerous than closed angle glaucoma.
Typically occurring when fluid inside the eye is not able to drain properly, patients who suffer from open angle glaucoma often don’t experience symptoms in the early stages of development until the condition worsens and leaves them with impaired vision.
According to data provided by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, the number of patients who were treated for glaucoma stood at 584,448 in 2012.
The figure jumped by over 38 percent in 2016, surpassing 800,000 patients during that year alone.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
