Activities in Brazil focus on risk factors, glaucoma prevention

Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil-The Centro Oftalmológico Paletta Guedes here organized a number of activities for the first World Glaucoma Day (WGD). Located in a region of more than 2 million people, the center is one of few in the area with a specialized glaucoma department and has organized two major regional campaigns directed to the general population in previous years.

"Our key message is the importance of a regular preventive visit to the eye-care specialist and to enhance awareness in the population about the main risk factors for glaucoma," said Dr. Ricardo Paletta Guedes.

WGD activities included:

• Free open-clinic day exams were given to first-degree relatives of patients with glaucoma. Eye exams including tonometry, pachymetry, gonioscopy, funduscopy, and Humphrey visual fields were performed at the center. Current guidelines for glaucoma screening and targeting high-risk patients (first-degree relatives aged 40 years and older) were followed.

• In conjunction with the local branch of the Brazilian Association of Glaucoma Patients, lectures about risk factors and glaucoma prevention were presented three times during the day by glaucoma specialists Dr. Ricardo and Dr. Vanessa Paletta Guedes. The association also provided ancillary personnel for the open-clinic day.

• Local TV, radio, and newspaper outlets were contacted to disseminate information about glaucoma.