Worldwide more than 161 million people are visually impaired – WHO estimates that 37 million are blind while another 153 million suffer from near- and far-sightedness – with more than 90 per cent of these people living in low- and middle-income countries.Three-quarters of all blindness in adults and about half of all blindness in children is avoidable through preventive action or treatment. Speakers at an awareness raising seminar on World Sight Day at the Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, discussed key eyesight-related topics, including blindness, visual impairment and rehabilitation.
Cataract – clouding of a normally clear lens in the eye causing blurry vision – remains the leading cause of blindness in adults except in the most developed countries. Dr Shaukat Chhipa, Lecturer, Department of Medicine, Aga Khan University (AKU), said that most cataracts develop slowly and eventually interfere with vision, reaching a stage where surgery is the only option. Fortunately, these days, cataract surgery is one of the safest, most common and cost-effective surgical procedures
Speaking about other causes of blindness, Dr Mahnaz Naveed Shah, Consultant Ophthalmologist, AKUH, pointed out that glaucoma, a disease that affects the eye’s optic nerve, is the second leading cause of blindness causing irreversible damage to the eye. Once detected, glaucoma can be controlled by appropriate use of medications, laser treatment and several types of surgical procedures. Appropriate and timely diagnosis and treatment allows a person to continue to enjoy good vision and avoid eyesight loss.
Dr Azam Ali, Associate Professor and Head of Ophthalmology Section, AKU, spoke about macular degeneration, which is the most common cause of vision loss among people over 60. The disease affects central vision and can sometimes make it difficult to read, drive or perform other activities requiring fine, detailed vision. Dr Ali said that modern treatment options and surgical techniques are available in Pakistan but warned patients, especially those with diabetes, to be highly attentive to warning signs and have their eyes tested regularly.
Eye injury or ocular trauma is another leading cause of eyesight loss, especially in young individuals and children. Common causes include traffic accidents, chemical injuries such as acid and alkali burns and bomb explosions. Dr Rashid Baig, Senior Instructor, Department of Surgery, AKU, stressed on the importance of public awareness of the causes of eye injuries, their symptoms and when to seek medical care, to reduce the incidence of this important cause of visual disability. He said that wearing safety goggles in laboratories and various industries is common-sense protection from eye injuries.
Conjunctivitis, an infection also referred to as the ‘red eye,' is one of several common eye disorders. Dr Sharmeen Akram, Lecturer, Department of Surgery, AKU, cautioned against using home remedies such as rose water or over-the-counter medications when experiencing red eye or pain in the eye. A healthy lifestyle with regular exercise, proper diet and follow-up visits to a physician and eye doctor can lead to the early detection of such conditions, enabling timely intervention and better treatment results.
