Mass awareness sought to reduce blindness

Experts at a seminar on Monday stressed awareness for reducing the incidence of blindness caused by Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), an abnormal development of retinal blood vessels in premature infants.
They said as the disease originates from premature and low weight babies, Bangladesh is at high risk of ROP blindness.
"ROP is emerging as a major health concern in Bangladesh and the blindness from it is increasing day by day," they said while speaking at a seminar on ROP.
The seminar was held at Ispahani Islamia Eye Institute and Hospital (IIEI&H) at Farmgate in Dhaka Monday, organised jointly by the government's National Eye Care (NEC), Orbis International, the Bangladesh Neonatal Forum (BNF) and the IIEI&H.
President of Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) Prof Rajvardhan Azad spoke on ROP situation in the region at the seminar. Professor and Chair of Pediatric Ophthalmology Division of University of Indonesia Prof Rita S Sitorus and Professor of the same university Risma Kaban shared Indonesia's ROP approach and experiences.
Line Director of the National Eye Care and Director of the National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital (NIO&H) Prof Jalal Ahmed spoke at the seminar as the chief guest.
Regional Programme Director of Orbis Asia and Co-Chair of International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) for South East Asia Dr Abu Raihan and President of BNF Prof Hosne Ara Begum were present as special guests.
CEO of IIEI&H Dr Michael Hall chaired the inaugural session of the seminar while Country Director of Orbis International, Bangladesh Dr Munir Ahmed delivered the address of welcome.
Prof Jalal said many cases of ROP remain undetected in Bangladesh and sometimes they are detected but at a time when it is too late to be cured.
He said the prevalence of ROP in developing countries has been high giving rise to the number of blind people there.
Dr Munir said Orbis has adopted a coordinated approach to combat ROP in Bangladesh. He said a committee has been constituted to tackle the disease.
President of BNF Prof Hosne Ara Begum said they are ready to provide all sorts of required cooperation in any initiative for reducing ROP risks.
Dr Abu Raihan highlighted the history of Orbis operation and activities in Bangladesh.
The speakers said ROP leads to bleeding and scaring of retina and ultimately to blindness.
They recommended taking a comprehensive public health approach, and screening and case detection initiatives, setting standards and guidelines for prevention, screening, treatment and follow-up of the problem, and forging a strategic alliance among ophthalmologists, neonatologists, pediatricians and nurses to combat it.
They laid emphasis on preventive measures, which, they said, are possible by strengthening neonatal intensive care services in Bangladesh.

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