Reported by Glaucoma Department
Edited by Xianjing Wei

March 10th-16th, 2019, was “World Glaucoma Week”. The theme of the week was “One Photo of the Optic Nerve; Early Detection of Glaucoma”. In order to let more glaucoma patients get diagnosis and treatment and to know more about glaucoma, we prepared a series of activities. Let's take a look at them!

Part 1 Expert Clinic
On the morning of March 12th, we carried out a glaucoma clinic in the lobby of the clinical building. Glaucoma experts such as; Professors Jian Ge, Yehong Zhuo, Xing Liu, Mingkai Lin, Xiulan Zhang, Yunlan Ling, Jingjing Huang, Yimin Zhong, Zhigang Fan, Yangfan Yang, Chengguo Zuo provided patients with high quality and free medical services. In addition, patients’ visual acuity and intraocular pressure was measured. The free clinic was attended by a large number of glaucoma professors to ensure the smooth provision of the services.

The clinic was scheduled to start at 9 am, but it was crowded with patients by 8 am. The patients were from different age groups and some of them even came from other provinces. The medical staff guided the patients to measure the visual acuity and intraocular pressure in an orderly manner and maintained order of the on-site treatment. The experts answered questions enthusiastically and carefully checked the patients’ condition.

The clinic also attracted the interest of many mainstream media such as the Nanfang Daily, Yangcheng Evening News, New Express, Southern Metropolis Daily, Guangzhou Daily, Guangdong Radio and Guangzhou Radio. Professor Jian Ge and Professor Yehong Zhuo were pleased to cooperate with the media interview.

Part 2 Health Hall
On March 13th, we held the quarterly health lecture at Glaucoma House Health Hall. We invited Professor Jian Ge and Professor Yehong Zhuo to give lectures on the theme of "One Photo of the Optic Nerve; Early Detection of Glaucoma".

Professor Ge Jian focused on the relationship between glaucoma and intraocular pressure and explained the meaning of this topic. Through examination of the fundus of the optic nerve, the doctor can quickly and accurately determine whether the patient has glaucoma and can track changes in the condition, evaluate visual function and guide diagnosis and treatment. The examination is simple, but significant. It is recommended that the patients and the high-risk groups should have it.

Professor Zhuo Yehong pointed out that high myopia is an important risk factor for glaucoma. He mentioned that glaucoma and high myopia can exist alone or together. Myopia is associated with an increased incidence of open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension and it may also cause intraocular pressure fluctuations.

Finally, the health lecture was concluded with great applause. The patients were provided with plenty of information about glaucoma and this will ultimately encourage them to face up to the disease. We would welcome more patients and friends to come and feel the charm of the lecture hall.

Part 3Internet Science Popularization

Online Live Lecture
This year, we have added Internet Science Popularization to the Clinics. On the evening of March 12th, Professor Jian Ge, Professor Mingkai Lin, and Professor Jingjing Huang together created a unique live webcast lecture, which attracted thousands of people to watch and received nearly 10,000 comments of praise. The “down to earth” theme and the easy-to-understand explanation made the lecture a great success.

Glaucoma Webcast Seminar
On the afternoon of March 15th, at the invitation of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), Professor Mingguang He, Professor Nathan Congdon and Professor Xiulan Zhang held a live Seminar on the Glaucoma network for glaucoma doctors in China and the Western Pacific. Three glaucoma experts from the Asia-Pacific region made brilliant speeches, which were greatly appreciated by young doctors.

Radio Science Popularization
On the afternoon of March 12th, Professor Zhigang Fan visited the Brand Program (“Famous Doctors Face to Face”) of Southern Life Broadcasting, and answered questions related to glaucoma from the audience, increasing glaucoma knowledge and awareness and reaping unanimous applause from the audience.

Glaucoma is a group of common eye diseases that threaten the optic nerve and visual function. It is well known that glaucoma can seriously affect the quality of life of patients, increase their psychological and economic burden and the risk of blindness. Therefore, through the activities of “World Glaucoma Week”, we have effectively improved the public's awareness of glaucoma, by providing them with more information about glaucoma, by establishing correct health concepts, and advice on glaucoma prevention and to seek screening as soon as possible.