World Sight Day: Blindness is avoidable, not inevitable, say experts

Cataract is the most common eye problem in developing countries.

KARACHI:

For 80% of people with cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration and diabetes-related blindness, early diagnosis and treatment can help overcome or even avoid these visual impairments.

Speaking at a seminar to mark World Sight Day, experts at the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) said cataract remains one of the leading causes of blindness for all age groups in developing countries. It is even more common then sight problems with the elderly, they said.

“When you get a cataract, the eye’s natural lens begins to cloud, leading to blurry or double vision making it difficult to drive at night,” said consultant ophthalmologist at AKUH Dr Sharmeen Akram.

A simple eye examination can save people a great deal of trouble and the treatment may be as simple as wearing glasses with corrective lens or using brighter lighting and magnifying lenses to  read.

Eventually when these measures no longer help, surgery is required. This involves a short day procedure in which the natural lens is replaced with an artificial one. The treatment is widely available.

Globally, glaucoma is another major cause of loss of sight. High pressure within the eye is believed to be one of the reasons for the gradual loss of vision. Sometimes, though, glaucoma may arise unexpectedly with a sudden onset of headaches, blurred vision and pain in the affected eye.

According to consultant ophthalmologist at AKUH Dr Rashid Baig, “Although there is no cure for glaucoma, early diagnosis and regular eye exams and treatment can control the progression of the disease.”

Switching gears to speak on problems with children the head of the department Dr Tanveer Chaudhry said squinting might be a symptom of something more serious and should not be ignored in young children. He also stressed the need for premature babies to be screened promptly for eye problems. Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a potentially blinding eye disorder that affects premature infants. A recent survey of maternity homes and hospitals across Karachi, well equipped to save very premature children, showed a lack of awareness of ROP and its management.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 14^th, 2011.