DOHA: In recognition of World Braille Day, Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) has reminded residents to learn more about their family history and undergo an eye examination as soon as any problem occurs to avoid vision impairment.
“If there is any disease related to the eye in the family, such as glaucoma (a condition in which the optic nerve is damaged and a pressure builds inside the eye), patients should consult an ophthalmologist even if they do not have any symptoms,” HMC’s senior consultant in ophthalmology, Dr Huda Al Mahdi said.
“Sometimes eye diseases start and the person doesn’t have any visual problems, so it is better to be cautious early on.”
The first important step any individual should take to prevent visual deterioration is to be proactive, she added
“People should not underestimate any eye symptoms, whether it is loss of vision, blurring of vision, or minor or major pain in the eye,” Dr Al Mahdi advised.
“Coming to the ophthalmologist at the right time can save people from visual loss; if they delay then sometimes surgical interventions may not guarantee that they will have good vision or normal vision later on.”
Some common eye diseases that may lead to high visual impairment or even blindness include glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (a condition that occurs due to diabetes in which blood vessels in the eye are damaged), and age-related macular degeneration (a condition in which damage to a small spot near the centre of retina called macula occurs, which leads to poor or decreasing vision).
Dr Al Mahdi said, “Most diseases are avoidable as causes of blindness if detected and treated in a timely manner.”
In recent years, HMC has increased services for eye care in the country with specialised clinics in Hamad General Hospital.
These include the Glaucoma Clinic that has increased surgical procedures, the Retina Clinic and the Cornea Clinic.
Other sub-speciality clinics focusing on eye services using high techniques include the Optic Clinic for patients who need visual assistance with glasses and the Low Vision Clinic to assist patients to use visual aids such as magnifiers and telescopes.
Genetic counselling includes analysis of patient’s family history and recommendation for appropriate treatment is also available at the Genetic Clinic, which can be accessed through referral from an ophthalmologist.
Ophthalmological services are available at outpatient clinics at Hamad General Hospital between 7.30am and 11.30am and from 11.30am to 3pm while emergency services are available round-the-clock.
World Braille Day is an annual celebration held on January 4 to mark the birthday of Louis Braille, inventor of Braille.
Braille is a system of touch reading and writing that allows visually impaired and blind people to read and write.
It also provides organisations and individuals with an opportunity to highlight problems of the visually impaired and efforts being made to help them.
The Peninsula
