The annual meeting on prevention of blindness opened in Hanoi on December 11. Attracting more than 600 doctors, surgeons and technological experts from eyes centres and hospitals from 63 Vietnamese provinces and cities along with many international experts, the ophthalmologic sector discussed its progress over the years.

The annual meeting on prevention of blindness opened in Hanoi on December 11. (Photo:cpv.org.vn)

The meeting provided an opportunity for ophthalmologic doctors at home and abroad to exchange ideas and discuss various advances made in the latest research projects. 81 topics relating to the Ophthalmologic sector were discussed at the meeting.

The meeting also reviewed the results of  preventive measures taken in Vietnam and plans for future applicable measures to be taken in the coming years.

According to statistics, the number of blind cases in Vietnam had decreased from 0.63 percent in 2002 to 0.5 percent in 2010.  However, the Vietnam Ophthalmologic sector still faced many challenges and focused on targets set to achieve by 2020.

As of now, Vietnam has more than 373,000 people who faced total blindness due to cataract. Many cataract patients faced great difficulty in their daily lives and were also unable to meet the cost of treatment. Furthermore, over 3 million teenaged children suffered impairment of their sight due to refractive errors.

Apart from the meeting, an exhibition was held to introduce new advanced ophthalmologic methods and achievements in Vietnam and other parts of the world.

Source: SGGP