Get your eyes tested

THE OPHTHALMOLOGICAL Society of Jamaica supports the World Sight Day theme for 2016, ‘Stronger Together’. The World Health Organization has a global plan which aims for universal eye health to reduce avoidable blindness and visual impairment worldwide by 25 per cent by 2019. It builds on the foundation of the Vision 2020 plan to eliminate avoidable blindness globally.

This can only happen if we work together – patients get their eyes checked regularly and doctors refer special groups of patients (e.g., diabetics) to get their eyes screened regularly. Our Government must Dr Lizette Mowatt

put policies in place to ensure that comprehensive eyecare screening and services become an integral part of a national health system.

Ninety per cent of visually impaired people live in developing countries. Eighty per cent of the visual impairment is avoidable. It may be due to cataract, glaucoma, diabetes or simply the need for glasses. Certain diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and sickle cell disease can cause eye problems which are preventable if you visit your eye doctor regularly. Diabetic retinopathy screening can reduce blindness among diabetic patients. A healthy nation is a productive nation. Be sure to have your eyes tested. DR LIZETTE MOWATT President Ophthalmological Society of Jamaica Immediate Past President Ophthalmological Society of the West Indies