Message from the chairperson:
At the outset, I would like to express my sincere gratitude, to the members of the College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka, for appointing me as the chairperson of the Glaucoma interest group of Sri Lanka (GIG). I thank all of you, for the confidence and trust placed in me to steer the GIG during the next year.
Glaucoma is the leading cause of preventable blindness and distinct challenges may be present in different regions of the world.
The GIG was started 12 years ago, and it enabled us to obtain membership of the World glaucoma Association. Over the years the activities conducted by the GIG have evolved and expanded. The main aim was to upgrade and update the knowledge of glaucoma among the membership and to increase awareness regarding glaucoma related blindness among primary care doctors, paramedical staff, public health staff and the general public.
World Glaucoma Week 2025, which takes place from 9th of March to 15th of March, is a global initiative organized by the World Glaucoma Association. We invite patients, eye care providers, health officials and the public to join forces in organizing awareness activities all over Sri Lanka. The theme for this year is ‘uniting for a glaucoma free world’. Our goal is to alert everyone to have regular eye and optic nerve checks to detect glaucoma as early as possible because there are available treatments for all forms of glaucoma to prevent visual loss.
The GIG will join hands with the college, ministry of health, vision 2030 and NGOs in designing, multifaceted interventions that could more effectively reduce glaucoma related disabilities.
All these programmes can be carried out successfully, only through collaboration, integration and with the dedication of every member of the college.
My task is to guide, motivate and inspire people to engage with that vision. As the chairperson, I hope the working committee of the GIG will work untiringly, in harmony with the membership towards excellence, amidst many challenges, to achieve our goals to eliminate glaucoma related disability, during this year.
It is our great honour to host the 16th Asian Angle Closure Glaucoma Club (AACGC) meeting this year under the guidance of Prof. Tin Aung, which will be held in conjunction with the 33rd Annual Congress of the College of Ophthalmologists of Sri Lanka. This will take place on the 19th of September 2025 at the Cinnamon Life hotel, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
I hope you will find the AACGC meeting to be one of the most exciting and enjoyable meetings ever as it broadens your scientific as well as travel horizons. The congress will surely increase your knowledge across the entire spectrum of Angle Closure Glaucoma.
Sri Lanka has virtually every kind of natural beauty which boasts stunning beaches, magical temples, world-class surfing, diverse wild life, and gorgeous waterfalls. Its panoramic range of tourist attractions caters for all types of visitors and interests.
Thank you,
Dr. Dilruwani Aryasingha
Chairperson of the Glaucoma Interest Group
