Eye trauma leads to cataract: Dr Sultan

Trauma caused to the eye at a younger age leads to cataract at a later age, says ophthalmologist, Dr Amyna Sultan.

Dr Sultan is the director at the Pacific International Hospital, where they are spearheading a program to eliminate avoidable blindness in the country.

Currently as it stands, PNG has the highest rates in the region – 5.6 percent adults over age 50 are blind.

The recent Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB 2017) in PNG identifies cataract and refractive error as the leading causes.

“Because of nutrition and perhaps the climate conditions in PNG, we see cataracts develop at an earlier age in the country. This explains why the prevalence of avoidable blindness in PNG is so high with adults over 50,” she said.

Dr Amyna said cataract also affected most sports men and women because of trauma to the eye.

And spreading the message on this would educate many to do eye screenings earlier and avoid being blind unnecessarily.

“Eye is a very delicate and sensitive organ. And losing vision is a tragedy,” said Dr Suresh Venkita, heart specialist and medical director PIH.

From his field of specialty, he said hypertensions and diabetes were among other infections that affected the eye.

Furthermore, sugar control should be exercised as early as you can.

(Dr Amyna Sultan, right, during the launch of the Cricket PNG/PIH partnership yesterday to raise awareness on avoidable blindness)

Author: 
Gloria Bauai