R ARIVANANTHAM
CHENNAI, MARCH 26
The Chennai-based Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital has on Tuesday announced organising the first-ever Glaucoma Patient Summit here on Friday (March 29, 2024). It will be addressed by top ophthalmologists and glaucoma specialists in India, said Dr Ashvin Agarwal, Chief of Clinical Services, Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital.
Addressing the media conference, he said the event is expected to attract the participation of hundreds of patients from across the country. The hospital is also establishing video conferencing facilities at its centers nationwide to facilitate live telecast and remote participation of patients.
- The hospital is establishing video conferencing facilities at its centers nationwide to facilitate live telecast and remote participation of patients
- Patients can register for the event by visiting https://www.dragarwal.com/glaucoma-patient-summit/ or contact 95949 01868
- For all in-person participants, glaucoma screening will be conducted free of cost
- With the panel discussions, they can learn all about glaucoma, advanced glaucoma eye treatment options, its medical and surgical management, and connect with expert doctors and peers, and discover resources to live their best life: Dr. Ashvin Agarwal
Glaucoma patients who wish to participate in the summit has to register themselves at the dedicated portal https://www.dragarwal.com/glaucoma-patient-summit/ or contact the Hospital’s call centre at 95949 01868, he added.
The participation fee is Rs.99 per person. The participants who upload their prescription during registration will receive a waiver of the registration charge upon successful verification. Free consultations will be available for registered participants for one week.
Dr. Ashvin Agarwal further said, “Glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness. There are 80 million people worldwide with this condition. The age-standardized prevalence of glaucoma is approximately 3–5% in the population aged 40 years and older worldwide. In India, it is the third leading cause of blindness after cataract and refractive error. At present, there are 12 million patients with glaucoma in the country. But treatment and regular checkups can help slow or prevent vision loss, especially if you catch the disease in its early stages. It is also important to create awareness about breakthrough medical and surgical treatments, and strategies in managing this sight-stealing condition.”
“We are conducting first-ever Glaucoma Patient Summit so that no patient has to fight glaucoma alone. The event will bring together individuals living with glaucoma to empower each other through knowledge, connection, and shared experiences. With the panel discussions, they can learn all about glaucoma, advanced glaucoma eye treatment options, its medical and surgical management, and connect with expert doctors and peers, and discover resources to live their best life.”
What is Glaucoma?
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness by damaging a nerve in the back of the eyes called the optic nerve. The symptoms can start slowly that patients may not notice them. The only way to find out if a person has glaucoma is to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam.
For all in-person participants, basic glaucoma eye checkup will be conducted free of cost. The tests will include: NCT and Fundus picture screening. The summit will also have interactive sessions for the participants to ask questions and get expert opinions.
Panelists to address the summit
The panelists of the summit will include Dr. Ashvin Agarwal, Chief Clinical Officer – Dr Agarwals Eye Hospital; Dr. Kaladevi Sathish, Zonal Head – Clinical Services, Chennai; Dr. Preethi S, Regional Head – Clinical Services, Gachibowli, Dr. Anu M. Rajadyn, Sr. Consultant Ophthalmologist, Dr. Manish Shah, and Dr. Medha Prabhudesai, Heads of clinical services, and Dr Sugepriya, Glaucoma Specialist, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Dr. Sneha Madhur Kankaria, Consultant.
Ophthalmologist. Panel discussions on the following topics
They will discuss on “Understanding Glaucoma; Investigations & Screening in Glaucoma; Medical Management; Lasers in Glaucoma; Surgical Management; Alternative Therapies; Visual Rehabilitation, and Emotional Component Management.”
The Live telecast of the summit will take place at Dr Agarwals Eye Hospitals in Telangana (Secunderabad), Bangalore (Yelahanka), Pune (Kothrud), Mumbai (Chembur), Coimbatore (RS Puram), Madurai (Arapalayam), Mohali, Salem, Puducherry, and Thanjavur.