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Minister of Health, Donville Inniss??

The eye care community in Barbados, and around the world, will be observing World Glaucoma Week from March 11 to 17, under the theme: Don’t Let Glaucoma Darken Your Life!

As a result, there will be a number of activities aimed at raising awareness about this chronic non-communicable disease.

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which there is progressive damage to the nerve of the eye (optic nerve), resulting in gradual painless loss of vision.?? However, if detected early and treated adequately, it is possible to preserve a person’s vision for the rest of their life.

The week’s activities begin with a church service on Sunday, March 11, at 8:00 a.m. at St. Paul’s Anglican Church, Bay Street, St. Michael, where Minister of Health, Donville Inniss, will deliver an address.

On Tuesday, March 13, persons will be screened for any signs of glaucoma from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., on the Ground Floor of the Frank Walcott Building, Culloden Road, St. Michael. The week of activities will continue on Wednesday, March 14, with Lunch and Learn Lunchtime Lectures by Clive Gibbons, Dawn Grosvenor and Senator Kerryann Ifill at Solidarity House, Harmony Hall, St. Michael. The lecture times are 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., respectively. There will also be pharmaceutical displays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Paediatric Glaucoma Specialist, Maria Papadopoulos, of Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom, will deliver a lecture for medical and paramedical personnel on Thursday, March 15, in the Queen Elizabeth Hospital’s (QEH) auditorium at 5:00 p.m. There will also be an address by hospital CEO Dr. Dexter James.

The week will culminate with a 5K Awareness Walk on Saturday, March 17, beginning at the QEH’s playing field in Martindale’s Road, St. Michael, and finishing at Accra Beach, Rockley, Christ Church. The walk starts at 6:30 a.m. and no pre-registration is required.

melissa.rollock@barbados.gov.bb

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