Country lacks record of people with eye diseases

Ophthalmologists advise taking care of diet, exercising regularly to maintain good eyesight

It is a matter of grave concern that there is no record of the number of people in the country suffering from eye diseases, ophthalmologists say.

“Self-treatment, blood pressure, diabetes and dry weather conditions are the common causes for contracting eye diseases,” according to over 150 eye specialists addressing the final session of a three-day national conference on eye diseases held at a local hotel on Sunday in Quetta.

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The workshop was attended by nearly 150 senior eye specialists from Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad as well as various other big cities of the country.

In order to maintain a good eyesight, ophthalmologists have advised the people to take care of their diet, exercise regularly and get checked up once every six months.

Dr Saeed Ahmed said, “According to a survey conducted in 2004, 9.0 per cent people of the country are blind. The procedure of eye treatment and its surgery has changed. Latest technology is being used in Balochistan.



“Among the various problems that damage the eyesight, being born underweight is one of them.”

Dr Ahmed was of the view that a lot of work needed to be done to create awareness among the people of Balochistan about eye diseases.

He demanded of the provincial government to not only make it compulsory for children to undergo eyesight checkups at the time of admission to the schools but also ensure that schools call in specialists once every six months to conduct checkups.

He also advised the diabetics and patients of blood pressure that apart from taking care of their diet they should also workout regularly.

“The number of patients suffering from hepatitis and jaundice in Balochistan has reached a dangerous level due to the consumption of contaminated water,” said the specialist.



According to Dr Nasar, who came from Karachi, “Due to the drought in the region, especially in spring, the ratio of children having itchy eyes is high.”

He said, “Twenty-five per cent of the population in the country are born with cataracts, while due to diabetes 20 per cent have eye diseases.”

Dr Chakar Kashani said, “Often people with eye diseases opt for home remedies due to which it has been witnessed that boy and girls have lost their eyesight.”

He advised the people not to buy self-prescribed medicines from drug stores.

Experts shared their expertise with colleagues regarding use of latest technology in treating eye diseases.