Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve (usually due to increased pressure inside the eye) and can lead to gradual, irreversible vision loss if not detected early. In children, often called pediatric or congenital glaucoma, it can appear from birth or early childhood and may not always present clearly; instead of silent progression seen in adults, with children, signs can include unusually large or cloudy eyes, excessive tearing, light sensitivity, or actively avoiding light.
Every year, as part of the World Glaucoma Week, the L V Prasad Eye Institute holds a multitude of activities to strengthen community awareness and advance clinical understanding of glaucoma. 2026 was no less.
On March 8, 2026, the LVPEI Kallam Anji Reddy (KAR) Campus in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad conducted a Glaucoma Awareness Walk, which saw the participation of nearly 500 individuals. The walk began at the KAR campus and concluded at KBR Park, drawing students, faculty, staff, and members of the community together in support of early glaucoma screening and prevention. The 2026 theme, ’Childhood Glaucoma and Steroid-Induced Glaucoma,’ brought attention to two significant yet often under-recognised causes of glaucoma, reinforcing the message that early detection is essential to preventing lifelong visual impairment.
As part of its network-wide initiative, the Glaucoma Awareness Walk was also conducted across various campuses within the LVPEI ecosystem, namely, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam and Kadapa campuses. Read more about the activities at LVPEI Bhubaneswar, here.
A day prior to the walk at Hyderabad, LVPEI also organised GlauConnect, a specialised educational webinar for postgraduate students, fellows, and eye care practitioners. The programme featured expert-led discussions and case-based presentations focused on childhood glaucoma, the central theme of this year’s observance. GlauConnect brought together national and international faculty, including a keynote address by Dr Brenda L Bohnsack, Professor of Pediatric Ophthalmology at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago.
LVPEI also amplified its outreach through digital awareness campaign. A series of educational posts, short videos, and key messages were shared across social media platforms and WhatsApp channels, extending the reach of glaucoma awareness beyond institutional boundaries. These digital efforts aimed to disseminate critical information on symptoms, risk factors, and the importance of routine eye examinations, particularly among wider and non-clinical audiences.
Access our YouTube videos on Glaucoma, here.
Often, children find it challenging to articulate what’s wrong with their sight or eyes. As an adult, parent, or a caretaker, if you notice anything unusual about a child’s eyes or behavior, seek an eye examination promptly! Early detection and treatment save both sight and life.
