Date:10/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/10/stories/2008101050560200.htm

Other States - Puducherry

Keep an eye on your vision

Staff Reporter

World Sight Day celebrations drive home this message

PUDUCHERRY: If you are above the age of 35 years, it is advisable to get your eyes tested regularly to prevent the onset of age-related eye diseases.

It is this message that the World Sight Day emphasises this year, with focus on “Eyes on the future, fighting vision impairment in later life.” Every year, World Sight Day was being observed on the second Thursday of October. The common eye diseases that occurred in later age are diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degenerative diseases and cataract, Programme Officer of National Programme for Control of Blindness, Puducherry, D. Sendhamizhan Rene said.

As part of the celebrations, NPCB was organising talks on radio channels, awareness messages in scrolls in television channels and a music band to take the message across various places in Puducherry, he said.

“For preventing diabetic retinopathy, persons with diabetes should undergo examination of their eyes every year. Every person above the age of 35 years should check their intra ocular pressure regularly to prevent glaucoma,” Dr. Rene said. “We have started screening for diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma in all villages,” he added.