Several hospitals are organising free glaucoma screenings next week, including Saint-Pierre University Hospital in Brussels and Liège University Hospital.
Glaucoma is a degenerative optic nerve disease that can lead to progressive and irreversible vision loss, including blindness. It affects 2% of people over 40 and 10% of those over 70, with women being more commonly affected than men.
Eye care professionals stress the importance of early and regular screenings to prevent severe visual impairment or blindness. Due to the disease’s silent progression, "approximately 50% of patients in developed countries are unaware they have it," notes Saint-Pierre University Hospital.
Brussels Saint-Pierre University Hospital will offer screenings at its Porte de Hal site on Friday, 14 March. Free screening days are also scheduled for 11, 12, 13, and 14 March at the Sart Tilman site of Liège University Hospital and in the Citadel’s entrance hall.
Often called the "silent sight thief," glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness worldwide, affecting an estimated 4.5 million people.
"Currently, there is no cure for glaucoma," says Saint-Pierre University Hospital. However, "medication, laser treatments, and various surgical techniques can slow or halt the disease’s progression and prevent vision loss," the hospital adds.
World Glaucoma Week runs from 9 to 15 March.
