Healthy start for a weeklong endeavour

It was a sea of orange walkers when people came out to support the cause for creating awareness on Glaucoma. Fashion Designer and former Mrs India, Shilpa Reddy flagged off the ‘Glaucoma Awareness Walk’ organised by LV Prasad Eye Institute (LVPEI) in Jubilee Hills on Sunday.

She later joined in the walk along with the Hyderabad Royals Team (Royal Enfield motorcycle club), Dr GN Rao, Chair, LVPEI; Dr G Chandra Sekhar, Vice-chair, LVPEI; Dr Sirisha Senthil, Head, Glaucoma Centre, LVPEI; Doctors, patients and public.

The Hyderabad Royals Team took out a motorbike rally in support of creating awareness on the eye disease, which is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness. The theme for this year is ‘Big: Beat Invisible Glaucoma’ and the focus is on early detection and prevention of glaucoma through family screening.

Speaking on the occasion Shilpa Reddy said, “Glaucoma is not known to many, even I wasn't aware of this serious eye ailment, my grandmother was afflicted of glaucoma, she lost sight and reached a stage where she couldn't recognise family members, that is a pretty depressing condition. Therefore, creating awareness about glaucoma is very important, getting eye checked for glaucoma is vital as that's the only way to detect it and prevent it.”

As part of its activities for the Glaucoma Awareness Week, LV Prasad Eye Institute is also organising a ‘Glaucoma Education Forum’ on March 12 to educate the general public on the harmful effects of prolonged steroid use.