PETALING JAYA: Approximately 30 per cent of the country’s population, believed to have diabetes, are at risk of developing blindness, according to a senior consultant ophthalmologist.
Dr Pall Singh, who is Tun Hussein Onn National Eye Hospital (THONEH) Medical Advisory Committee Chairman, said it was, therefore, important for diabetic patients to undergo early eye screening for the sole reason of early detection of sight threatening complications, such as Diabetic Retinopathy.
“Diabetic Retinopathy is a damage to the blood vessels in the retina, caused by complications of diabetes mellitus.
“If diagnosed and treated early, blindness is usually preventable. Diabetic Retinopathy generally starts without any noticeable change in vision.
“As such, getting an initial eye check is crucial if you have diabetes because it will help to detect any complications in the eyes,” he told reporters after the launch of World Sight Day 2015 at THONEH here yesterday.
In conjunction with the World Sight Day 2015, THONEH, the National Unity and National Integration Department (JPNIN) under Prime Minister’s Office, together with the Malaysia Japanese Chamber of Trade and Industry (JACTIM) and Lions Club also co-organised an awareness campaign with a theme of ‘Eye Care For All’.
THONEH vice-chairman Datuk S Kulasegaran in his opening speech said the one-day campaign, which was held at the hospital, was aimed at raising public awareness on blindness and vision impairment and also at promoting National Blindness Prevention programmes.
“It is also aimed at educating the target audience about blindness prevention and World Sight Day Vision 2020 programme activities in conjunction with the nation’s progress towards a high income nation,” he said.
He said the hospital currently saw an average of 80,000 patients and performed around 4,500 surgeries every year.
During the opening ceremony, THONEH also received a Fundus Camera which is used for ‘Public Eye Screening’ from JACTIM and allocation of RM50,000 by Petaling Jaya Lions Club for the purpose of funding the needy patients. — Bernama