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World Sight Day event at the European Parliament in Bruxelles

On October 1-2, 2013 the European Glaucoma Society (EGS) participated in the EU parliament in Brussels at a World Sight Day event organized by the European Forum Against Blindness (EFAB)

Examinations of the EGS during WSD at the EP

During the World Sight Day event at the European Parliament in Bruxelles the European Glaucoma Society measured the IOP and looked at the anterior chamber and optic disc at the slitlamp.

Visitors were made aware of glaucomatous visual field defects by wearing specially designed glasses.

Hundreds of EU co-workers and many Ministers of European Parliament (MEP) visited the stand.

Blindness, the invisible threat - How can Europe respond?

Marian Harkin, MEP
Richard Howitt, MEP
Ioannis Tsoukalas, MEP

On October 1st the EGS also participated at a dinner debate "Blindness, the invisible threat - How can Europe respond?" hosted by MEPs M. Harkin, I. Tsoukalas and R. Howitt and chaired by I. Banks, president of the European Men’s Health Forum (EMHF).

Information on eye care was given to the staff of the EP
Prof. Thierry Zeyen (EGS) and Prof. Peter Ackland (IAPB) at the EP

Blindness, the invisible threat - How can Europe respond?

After discussing the importance of raising the profile of eye health and vision, helping to prevent avoidable visual impairment and secure appropriate resources to support those with sight loss in Europe, J. Kleintjens and O. Saka, from Deloitte Belgium, presented their study on major preventable eye diseases.

Comparable data on macular degeneration, glaucoma, cataract and diabetic retinopathy in 7 EU countries were presented and cost-effective preventive measures to better manage blindness were suggested. A lively discussion followed the presentation.

European Glaucoma Society (EGS)

The European Glaucoma Society is a non-profit organisation. The aims of the society are:

  • To establish personal contacts and to promote the exchange of knowledge between glaucoma specialists in Europe.
  • To stimulate, compare and register glaucoma research in Europe
  • To promote the diffusion of specific knowledge to the general ophthalmologists in Europe.
  • To keep contact with similar glaucoma groups in other continents.

Read more about the EGS on its website: www.eugs.org