Glaucoma is an eye disease, which as a result of persistent increase in intraocular pressure leads to atrophy of the optic disc and loss of visual functions. Nowadays, glaucoma, according to the World Health Organization, is one of the most common eye diseases leading to irreversible blindness around the world. The main risk factors for the development of glaucoma are as follows: age over 40, smoking, diabetes, arterial hypertension, obesity and genetic factors. In the case of early diagnosis of glaucoma, which is based on 3 main symptoms; increased intraocular pressure, atrophy of the optic nerve head and change in the visual field and the appointment of appropriate treatment, the patient will be able to avoid irreversible blindness. When the risk group includes migrants and refugees, the screening results should never be used as justification for expulsion of a refugee or a migrant from a country. Each person migrating must have full access to hospital conditions for preventative care, and, where necessary, to high-quality medical care without discrimination on the grounds of sex, age, religion, nationality or race. We propose to introduce a special program, “Glaucoma Screening Program”, on the territory of Armenia, which will allow performing routine, however, quite sufficient examination of the people who are at risk. To this end, it is proposed to create conditions for implementation of “Glaucoma Screening Program” on the basis of certain medical centers. All patients will undergo the following procedures: tonometry with a tonometer (I-Care Finland) without instillation of anesthetic eye drops, direct ophthalmoscopy of the optic nerve disc (without pupil dilatation), and control perimetry during which the doctor compares his field of vision (it should be normal) with the patient’s field of vision. With the introduction of the Glaucoma Screening Program (including migrants and refugees), the population of the Republic of Armenia will receive a unique opportunity to reveal the disease at its initial stage using minimal financial costs. © 2019, Yerevan State Medical University. All rights reserved.

Glaucoma Glaucoma diagnostics Glaucoma screening Healthcare for migrants and refugees

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