The Polish Ophthalmology Society invites offices and clinics to participate in the 6th edition of the Polish Ophthalmologists Against Glaucoma initiative. Recruitment of facilities lasts until February 27. Participation in the action is free of charge.
VI edition of the nationwide campaign Polish Ophthalmologists Versus Glaucoma
Published Feb. 9, 2022 09:45
The Polish Ophthalmology Society (PTO), the Glaucoma Section of the PTO and the Polish Association of the Blind announce the recruitment of facilities for the sixth edition of the social glaucoma screening campaign. The initiative is carried out annually as part of the World Glaucoma Week, which this year takes place between March 6 and 12.
Participation in the campaign is an opportunity to promote both doctors and ophthalmologists' offices. In 2021, 78 ophthalmic offices in 40 cities and 15 provinces took part in the action. The facilities offered a total of 3,080 places available for patients. The registration form is available at: www.tydzienjaskry.pl
The Polish Ophthalmologists Versus Glaucoma campaign has been ongoing since 2017 on the initiative of the Polish Ophthalmology Society and ophthalmologists from all over the country. The aim of the action is to raise public awareness of glaucoma and to increase the detection of this disease in the early stages of its advancement, because it may affect up to 800,000 Poles, but a large proportion of these people are not aware of their disease. This is due to the fact that in 90% of cases, glaucoma occurs without symptoms noticeable by the patient, and everyone can develop the disease - regardless of age or gender.
As part of the initiative, all volunteers who have not been diagnosed with glaucoma before and those who have not tested their eyesight for at least a year will be screened for glaucoma, that is: fundus structure, corneal thickness, intraocular pressure tests and medical history.
In the case of glaucoma, there are no preventive measures. The only way to save patients' eyesight is early diagnosis. Therefore, everyone should report for vision screening every two years, and people from the high-risk group should visit the ophthalmology office even every 12 months. The increase in the detection of glaucoma in its early stages, made possible by regular examinations, is therefore extremely important because it saves the eyesight of many people.
- Ladies and Gentlemen, I strongly encourage and even appeal to join the initiative Polish Ophthalmologists vs. Glaucoma. This year's edition becomes even more important, because during the Covid-19 pandemic, other health problems, unfortunately, often recede into the background. However, eye diseases will not wait until the end of the pandemic, they are still as dangerous and require early diagnosis and treatment. Together, let's take care of the health of Poles in this difficult time for all of us. - appeals prof. dr hab. n. med. Jacek P. Szaflik, President of the Polish Ophthalmology Society.
To apply for participation in the action, complete the form available on the website: www.tydzienjaskry.pl/rejestracja-gabinetu, then print the application confirmation sent by e-mail and send back a scan of this document with the stamp of the facility to the following address: [email protected].
Ophthalmological facilities willing to get involved must declare the hours of free admission to visits, which they will offer to interested patients. Starting packages containing materials for printing will be sent to each office to the address indicated in the form.
Source: Press release
