NewZNew (Chandigarh – Kulbir Singh Kalsi) : Glaucoma support Group at Advanced Eye Center is organizing a public awareness program in the form of a musical concert onNov. 8, 2014 from 7pm to 10pm, in the Law Auditorium of Panjab University, Chandiarh. This is part of the educational program that includes a glaucoma workshop and hands-on training (wet lab) in glaucoma surgery for eye doctors, and a glaucoma awareness program for the public.
Glaucoma is a significant health problem with 67 million people suffering from it worldwide. In India there are about 13 million people suffering from glaucoma, 90% of these people are not aware that that have glaucoma. Majority of glaucoma patients do not experience any symptoms till the disease is very advanced. As a result glaucoma remains undiagnosed leading to severe visual handicap or total blindness. Glaucoma accounts for about 13% of all cases of blindness. Blindness due to glaucoma is permanent and has no cure. However, it can be prevented by timely diagnosis and treatment. Since glaucoma is a silent disease, periodic eye checkups for glaucoma are essential.
Glaucoma support group was started at Advanced Eye Center, PGI in 2008 and have organized several awareness campaigns since then. The group has been educating public through newspapers, radio and television. In March this year, on the occasion of World Glaucoma Day, we also organized a glaucoma walk and street play to highlight the problem. Glaucoma Musical is a new initiative by the group. Glaucoma musical is first of its kind in India, where glaucoma related messages will be given through a musical story woven around a person with glaucoma.
This mission to save vision is being supported by a number of eminent personalities in the field of art and music. Rupali Jagga of Indian Idol fame will be performing at the concert along with local talent. A famous Bollywood actor Manmeet Sing, winner of Kaun Banega Crorepati Season-6 Sunmeet Kaur, and an internationally known Tarot Card Reader, Neena Grewal have very kindly agreed to grace the occasion. The function will be presided over by the Vice Chancellor of the Punjab University Prof. AK Grover.
