Doha, 09 March 2025: Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) is marking World Glaucoma Week by raising awareness of this serious eye condition and emphasizing the high-quality services it provides for patients with glaucoma. As the leading specialist healthcare provider in Qatar, HMC offers state-of-the-art diagnostic and treatment options to ensure early detection and effective treatment and management of glaucoma, helping to preserve vision and improve the quality of life for patients.
Glaucoma is a common eye disease that can lead to irreversible vision loss if not diagnosed and treated in time. It occurs when the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain, becomes damaged due to increased pressure in the eye.
Dr. Zakia Al Ansari, Consultant Ophthalmologist and Head of the Glaucoma Unit at HMC, explains: “Glaucoma is often called the ‘silent thief of sight’ because it can develop without noticeable symptoms in its early stages. Regular eye examinations are crucial for detecting the condition early and preventing permanent vision loss.”
HMC provides comprehensive and world-class care for glaucoma patients – treating more than 500 patients each month, utilizing the latest advancements in ophthalmology. Through its specialized glaucoma clinics, the corporation offers a multidisciplinary approach that includes highly trained specialists, cutting-edge technology, and personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient’s needs.
Dr. Al Ansari highlights HMC’s commitment to delivering the highest quality care: “At HMC, we offer a full spectrum of advanced glaucoma treatments, including specialized eye drops, innovative laser procedures, and surgical interventions that help control eye pressure and prevent further vision loss. Our focus is on early detection, effective treatment, and continuous follow-up to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients.”
HMC encourages the public to prioritize their eye health by scheduling regular eye check-ups, especially for individuals at higher risk of glaucoma, including those over 40, individuals with a family history of the disease, previous eye injury, previous ocular surgeries or diseases, people who are of African, Asian or Hispanic descent, and patients with underlying conditions such as diabetes and those who are very nearsighted or far-sighted. HMC recommends that individuals at higher risk of glaucoma should get screened at 35 years of age. A complete eye exam should be repeated every 1 to 3 years, less or more often depending on the level of risk and overall eye health.
Glaucoma treatment provided at HMC often starts with prescription eye drops that help reduce eye pressure by either improving fluid drainage or decreasing fluid production in the eye. In cases where eye drops alone are insufficient, systemic medications such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors may be prescribed.
“These medications are used as a short-term measure for patients with very high intraocular pressure who need rapid lowering of the eye pressure to protect vision but shouldn’t be used if there is an allergy to Sulfa or significant kidney disease. For patients who require additional intervention, HMC also offers advanced laser therapy, traditional glaucoma surgeries and novel surgical interventions like Preserflo Microshunt, which is a minimally invasive option for mild to moderate cases which ensures a high safety profile compared to more traditional invasive glaucoma procedures designed to help drain fluid out of the eye and lower intraocular pressure. In more severe cases, we offer the PAUL glaucoma implant, a novel drainage device which offers effective and safe glaucoma control for the eye to prevent further optic nerve damage, ensuring the best possible outcomes for patients,” explained Dr. Al Ansari.
As part of the awareness initiatives for World Glaucoma Week, HMC held an awareness event at Souq Waqif to highlight the importance of regular screening and to inform the public about HMC's specialized services for glaucoma patients.
