System to detect blindness early
KUALA LUMPUR: The Health Ministry is drawing up a system to help medical practitioners and nurses detect complications in the early stages of diabetes and hypertension.
This is because medical practitioners do not have a satisfactory control and monitoring system, causing patients to suffer complications like blindness, said Health Minister Datuk Dr Chua Soi Lek.
“We have observed that although the patients are receiving treatment, whether at private or government hospitals, they are referred to the ophthalmologist only at the end stages.
“And at this stage, the treatment is more complicated and not very effective,” he told reporters yesterday after opening the 20th Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress.
Diabetics can suffer from diabetic retinopathy, which can cause decreased vision and blindness.
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EYE CARE: Dr Chua checking out one of the exhibits at the 20th Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (Apao) Congress yesterday. Flanking him are Congress organising chairman Dr George Thomas and Apao president Prof Dr Roberto Tan. |
“We are in the early stages of discussions on how to make sure complications such as visual impairment or blindness can be controlled,” he said.
Dr Chua also said the scope of optometry check-ups would be widened under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to reach a wider group of people.
There are about 120 opthalmologists providing eye care in 32 of the Health Ministry hospitals.
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