Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Hospital in Hohhot organized a voluntary event to examine the eyes of local residents on the 11th World Glaucoma Day on March 6.

Doctors from the hospital’s ophthalmology department provided free examinations to locals, checking their sight, intraocular pressure and eye fundus, and also performing a slit lamp check.

Glaucoma is the world’s second-most prevalent eye disease resulting in blindness, and early prevention is crucial, claimed Yun Lina, the department’s director.

“Glaucoma often brings no significant discomfort at the onset, causing many people to overlook its potential danger,” Yun said.

“When many patients begin noticing symptoms, they have already missed the optimal treatment period and may even be blind. Periodic eye examinations and an early diagnosis can effectively reduce glaucomatous visual impairment.” 

World Glaucoma Day is a global initiative co-sponsored by the World Glaucoma Association and the World Glaucoma Patient Association to raise public awareness of glaucoma. March 6, 2008 was chosen as the first World Glaucoma Day.

Doctors from Inner Mongolia International Mongolian Hospital examine locals in Hohhot on March 6. [Photo/northnews.cn]