Globally, at least 2.2 billion people suffer from near blindness or long-distance visual impairment and among at least one billion of these, visual impairment could be avoided. Almost 90 per cent of visually impaired people live in developing countries, including Uganda. Women also run a higher risk of visual impairment and blindness than men. In Uganda, in particular, 5.9 per cent of the population is visually impaired, or six out of every 100 people, while 144,000 people are completely blind.
This is the picture described by Charles Olaro, the Director of Curative Services at the Ministry of Health on the occasion of World Sight Day, which is celebrated every second Thursday in October to raise awareness of eye care, preventing diseases that can lead to serious disorders or even blindness. In addition to screenings, the anniversary was created to improve access to care for all.
This year, Doctors with Africa CUAMM has commemorated World Sight Day in Kitgum, northern Uganda, by participating in the “Love your eyes” event promoted by the Ugandan Ministry of Health. In fact, since January 2020, CUAMM and Christian Blind Mission (CBM) have been implementing the “ForeSeeing Inclusion” project, funded by the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS), to improve access and quality of inclusive eye care services in communities and health facilities in the Kitgum, Lamwo and Arua districts.
A series of activities were organised to mark the occasion, including the setting up of community eye health stands, radio talk shows, and newspaper inserts, all aimed at raising awareness among the population.
«The eye care stand, which was present for a week at the hospital in Kitgum, thanks to the support of the Ugandan Ministry of Health and local partners, helped bring services closer to the people», emphasised Jackie Kwesiga, National Director of Christian Blind Mission.
Check-ups, treatments and surgeries were offered, with a total of over 1,194 patients visited and 212 surgeries conducted. Of these, 168 were cataract surgeries, 25 excisions and 19 eyelid surgeries. 800 free reading glasses were distributed to young and old.
«I had been unable to read for five years and a few days ago one of my neighbours informed me about the eye camp. So, here I am. I am happy to finally be able to read again, especially the Bible, which I missed so much, thanks to the reading glasses I received for free», said 84-year-old Okumu Discon.
According to Uganda’s 2014 national census, Northern Uganda is home to 32% of all individuals with visual impairment and 75% avoidable blindness. The poor coverage of basic and secondary eye care services has largely contributed to this dramatic figure. The situation worsened further in 2017 due to the increase of South Sudanese refugees in the area and the resulting overcrowding of existing eye care facilities. This explains the decision to celebrate Sight Day in Kitgum.
Some of the common causes of blindness in the country are allergies, cataracts, diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy, and presbyopia. Charles Olaro urged mothers and fathers to vaccinate their children, have regular eye check-ups at the nearest health centre, protect their eyes from direct sunlight, eat a balanced diet, avoid applying herbs to the eyes, read and watch TV with the light on, and avoid self-medication.
Finally, he launched the National Strategic Plan for Eye Health (2021/22 – 2025/26), which will help health professionals to assess, treat and refer eye patients correctly. In order to increase awareness of good eye health and promote the prevention of blindness.
