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imaging techniques and developing co-management strategies for patients. Despite creditable efforts and investment by private educational institutions in skill development and capacity-building, there is considerable room for more government spending in eye care education and service delivery because of the persisting disparities between India’s different regions and the urban-rural divide. According to Dr Ramesh S Ve, the last two decades have seen many Indian startups develop affordable retinal imaging systems. These systems don’t just help detect Glaucoma; they also help diagnose other sight-threatening diseases. “Glaucoma can lead to difficulties in reading, walking, driving, and even facial recognition,” Dr Gothwal said. These challenges become especially daunting when both eyes have high visual field loss. Technology has changed the way co-management strategies and low vision rehabilitation are provided. This can help people deal with vision loss and make them competitive in the job market. While the obstacles Glaucoma places may seem imposing, they are not insurmountable. High levels of awareness, regular vision screenings for the right demographic group, and the smart use of modern technology and quality service delivery will make our response to this silent killer more effective. GLAUCOMA – THE SILENT KILLER At the India Vision Institute – VisionPlus Magazine hosted ‘Glaucoma – The Silent Killer’ panel discussion on January 22nd, 2021, panellists shed light on the proverbial darkness that shrouds this silent pallbearer of gloom and exchanged ideas on best practices and public health strategies to combat Glaucoma. Glaucoma often goes undetected because of a lack of awareness among patients. “Catch them early, because early detection can help delay blindness,” said Dr Mani Baskaran. “In India, a large number of Glaucoma patients are not aware of their condition. Eye care professionals should work towards making the public aware. A higher level of awareness in society will make more people come forward and have their eyes examined for this condition,” Dr Baskaran added. If you are above the age of 40, it is highly recommended that you get an intraocular pressure check done, at the very least. Gonioscopy and visual field tests can also help in detection, according to Dr Gothwal Access to screening facilities and tests required for the early detection of Glaucoma in remote areas is an issue to which Vinod Daniel drew attention. “It is important for undergraduate programs to impart knowledge essential to developing basic skill sets such as carrying out intraocular pressure tests and following best practices,” noted Dr Ramesh S Ve. While progress has been made on the education and skill- development front, many eye care professionals in remote areas still lack skills such as clinical decision-making with 28 VISION PLUS SE ASIA EDITION