Blindness due to cataract and glaucoma could be prevented if a patient is treated properly and promptly in early stages.

Around 150,000 people in Sri Lanka become blind; most of them are women. Globally 45 million people including children are blind, according to WHO estimates, said Dr. Champa Banagala, Consultant Eye Surgeon and the Director of Eye Hospital, Colombo, addressing the media at a seminar held at the Health Education Bureau.

Owing to eye complications, the number of people in the world among the low income group going blind would increase to 76 million by 2025, she revealed. Lack of correct medicine and inability to undergo surgeries, people including school children in poor families has been suffering from eye diseases, she said.

“Simple and effective surgery on cataract could be performed successfully at any hospital in Sri Lanka. But myths established in the society about eye surgery, make people fear to face surgery; as a result a large number of people have lost their vision. If treated at the right time with right medication, blindness could be prevented” Dr. Banagala confirmed.

“Of 150,000 blind population in Sri Lanka, the majority (90%) is from low income groups. If women may receive cataract surgery as same as men, 70% of blindness and severe impairment of women could be greatly reduced.” said Dr. Muditha Kulatunga. She said that the leading cause of blindness in the world is due to cataract and surgery which is curable and most cost effective operation that could be performed by eye surgeons.

After 40 years of age, everybody should get their eyes checked up at the closest hospital as even healthy persons might develop glaucoma without any symptoms. Dr. Kulatunga attributed causes such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, low vision impairment, congenital defects by birth and squint eye problems to becoming blind.- Asian Tribune