There is an urgent need for an increase access to eye care services in Papua New Guinea.
This follows the first national Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) research study that revealed more women are unaware that cataract treatment is possible in PNG.
According to the study, 40,746 people in the country are blind in both eyes.
The study also showed that 61 percent out of 40,746 which is 24,855 women are less likely to feel the need for eye surgery.
Dr Anthea Burnett of Brien Holden Vision Institute and Vision CRC said there is a need for more awareness on cataract surgery services in PNG.
She said there must be ongoing initiative between PNG Eye Care, the Institute and the PNG and Australian governments to develop sustainable systems providing increased access to eye care.
This collaborative relationship began in 2008 and has already achieved increased outcomes in eye care for tens of thousands of Papua New Guineans.
PNG Eye Care General Manager Samuel Koim was actively involved in the practical management of the RAAB and says overall, there was a great response rate to this survey equaling less than 4% refusals.
Koim said with the good coverage across all provinces despite the geographic, logistic and safety issues, there was a very low rate of missing data.
“I feel very positive the RAAB has been completed and will assist in improving the eye health for the people of PNG.
“Too often we see a devastating and unnecessary toll on communities and individuals alike, which could have been prevented with greater access to services and eye health information.”
The data and findings from the study have been presented to the National Department of Health (NDoH).