PREVENTION OF BLINDNESS - MANAGEMENT AND SCIENCE UNIVERSITY EYE CENTRE

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Blindness is one of the major issues confronting public health the world over. Studies reveal that the rate of worldwide blindness and visual impairment by 2020 is about 285 million and blindness cause by a single eye disease such as glaucoma will affect about 60 million people. In Malaysia, it is estimated that the overall prevalence of blindness and visual impairment is up to one (1) million people are suffering from blindness or vision related issues.

The Malaysian Eye disease registry 2012 data stated that more than 200,000 Malaysians suffer from blindness and the figure will increase in the coming years due to poor access and very low awareness to comprehensive eye examination among the population. A recent study conducted in State of Selangor shown the prevalence of visual impairment and blindness was up to 21% mainly caused by uncorrected refractive errors, cataract and diabetic retinopathy.

Parallel to its effort to seeing community wellness being given special importance, MSU through its Vision and Eye studies is committed to deal with blindness issue towards the creation of a better society free from such health challenges. The MSU Prevention of Blindness Project (MSU POB Project) was initiated to deal with awareness, promote vision screening for an early detection of eye and vision problems. The project was launched in 2012 with the University allocating RM300,000 to ensure the success of the undertaking.

This three (3) year project divided into two (2) phases with phase 1 involving the screening program covering children’s vision care, the urban poor and indigenous people, orphanages, the elderly and the industrial sectors. Phase 2, encompasses clinical intervention including cataract screening and surgery, training and research activities as well as public health services provided to those in need.

The MSU-POB Project is led by Associate Professor Dr Mohd Zaki Awg Isa assisted by three other researchers, Madam Fairuz Mohd Nordin and Rajasegar Anamalley and Madam Azarina Abdullah. The focus now (Phase 2) is more towards enhancing implementation of translational research by empowering community. In 2016, two niche areas of research were identified involving school children and ‘orang asli’. The activities involved are mass children vision screening program, vision research for ‘orang asli’ school children and initiating a special vision project in collaboration with Sekolah Kebangsaan U3 Subang Jaya, training the teachers for early detection of eye and vision problems in school and providing free spectacles and vision aids to the poor were also among the activities held.

The project was successful at engaging all parties involved this include manufactures, suppliers, NGO, Industries and local community through continuous eye health screening, campaigns, donation, participation and support to promote awareness in preventing blindness. The POB program also provides knowledge transfer to the community by providing avenues to the undergraduate and post graduate students to enhance their soft skills and competencies.

Likewise, the lecturers also have opportunities to conduct research projects in the prevention of blindness programs which later will benefits the communities at large.