The illumination of the Tower of the University of Coimbra — one of the most emblematic symbols of the University and of the city of Coimbra — represents a powerful institutional commitment to public health awareness.
As part of the historic University of Coimbra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tower is an iconic landmark that overlooks the city and is widely recognized at national and international levels. Lighting the Tower in green on March 12, in the context of World Glaucoma Day, will symbolically align the University of Coimbra with a global movement aimed at raising awareness about glaucoma — a silent disease and one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide.
This initiative is promoted by the Retinal Dysfunction and Neuroinflammation Lab at the Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra. Our research focuses on understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying retinal cell death in glaucoma and on developing new therapeutic strategies to protect vision. Alongside our scientific mission, we are actively engaged in community outreach and awareness activities to promote prevention, early diagnosis, and timely treatment.
Illuminating the Tower in green — the international color of glaucoma awareness — will provide strong visual impact and media visibility, reinforcing the University of Coimbra’s role as a socially responsible institution committed not only to research excellence but also to health literacy and community engagement.
Through this symbolic gesture, the University of Coimbra will help amplify an essential public health message: early detection saves vision.