To create awareness and exchange experiences on eye diseases, over 200 eye doctors from South Asia attended the 17th South Asian Academy of Ophthalmology conference. The three-day conference was held in Thimphu.
Eye doctors from six countries in South Asia were present during the conference. They presented over 200 scientific research on ophthalmology or diagnosis and treatment of eye diseases.
Through the conference, doctors were expected to exchange knowledge, ideas, and facilitate collaboration with neighbouring countries in the field of ophthalmology.
Doctor Lalit Verma, Secretary General of South-Asian Academy of Ophthalmology said “All of us have similar diseases, similar kind of treatment modalities also. The whole purpose of getting together is to share knowledge and interact. It is primarily to know how different countries manage same conditions.”
Eye doctors said cataract still remains as one of the leading causes of vision impairment and blindness in South Asia including Bhutan.
According to an eye doctor from Gyalyum Kesang Choden Wangchuck National Eye Centre, people should visit the hospital on time to treat eye diseases.
Dr Dechen Wangmo, Head, Department of Ophthalmology, Gyalyum Kesang Choden Wangchuck National Eye Centre said “In the past, a lot of our people use to feel that bad vision is a curse of getting old. There is a general acceptance that there is no treatment but that is not true. Every individual must have an eye check-up once a year, particularly if you are above the age of 50 and you think your vision is blur.”
In Bhutan, according to the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness 2018, cataract accounts to more than 48 per cent among all the population with blindness and visual impairment.
Sangay Chozom
Edited by Tshering Zam
