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THE HEALTH | DECEMBER , 2022
| Asia Optometric Congress |
Important role of optometrists in primary eye care
Private optometry practices can play the role of eye care provider to reduce the burden on government facilities
BY KHIRTINI K KUMARAN
THE Ministry of Health ( MoH ) sees the important role of optometrists from the public and private sectors , with private optometry practices playing the role of primary eye care providers to help reduce the eye care burden in the country .
MoH Director of Medical Practice ( Medical Practice Division ) Dr Mohamed Iqbal Hamzah said : “ The MoH acknowledges the importance of eye health and eye care in Malaysia . Vision impairment is still a major global health concern , with Malaysia not an exception .
“ Statistics have shown an increasing number of people who have vision impairment , partly due to the increase in the ageing population and unhealthy lifestyles . Additionally , the impact of the pandemic may further aggravate the myopia incidence globally .
“ Hence , we at the MoH observe the importance of the involvement of optometrists from both public and private sectors , with private optometry practice playing the role of primary eye care provider to reduce the eye care burden ,” he said when opening the 3rd Asia Optometric Congress ( AOC ) conference .
Delayed by two years due to the pandemic , the 3rd AOC ) was held on Nov 15-16 , 2022 at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre ( KLCC ), Kuala Lumpur .
According to Dr Mohamed Iqbal , the Guest of Honor , there are 2700 optometrists in Malaysia , with 2300 optometrists serving in the private sector . He said that mobilising optometrists to perform the primary eye care role would reduce the congestion in public hospitals , enabling urgent and important cases to be attended to immediately .
“ As such , the Ministry will work on a mechanism with optometrists in both public and private sectors to improve public access to optometrist services nationwide .
“ With screening and preventative measures done regularly , including greater public awareness on the importance of eye screening , we hope to see a downward trend in vision impairment in the coming years ,” he said .
Working together is important
AOC President Datuk Murphy Chan said : “ AOC provides us with an opportunity to discuss the pressing issue occurring globally , particularly in Asia ; the escalating rate of vision impairment cases worldwide . This is an urgent issue we need to address .
“ As optometrists , we know that regular eye checkups and screening can help reduce the incidence of vision impairment amongst the public . However , public awareness of the importance of eye health and care still needs to improve .
Dr Mohamed Iqbal Ahmad Fadhullah Amanda Davis Datuk Murphy Chan Woon Pak Seong
“ In Malaysia , for instance , survey findings show that some 67 per cent of the population have not gone for eye screening for more than a year .
“ Based on the 2018 National Eye Survey Malaysia , 15,000 individuals were examined for blindness . Of them , 58.6 per cent were diagnosed with untreated cataracts that could have been prevented if they had been detected earlier .
“ The challenge , therefore , is to create more awareness , educate the public on the importance of regular eye checkups , and implement a stronger eye care system in the community .”
The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness ( IAPB ) Western Pacific region chair Amanda Davis said : “ No one stakeholder is going to solve this problem ( rising global vision
impairment cases ). “ We all need to work together ; optometry , ophthalmology , general practices , private sectors , the government , non-governmental organisations , etc . It will take all of us coming together .
“ This is why these conferences are so important , critical to bring these issues to the forefront and identify the solutions . Seeing the focus on primary eye care healthcare throughout the programme is truly inspiring .
“ This will increase access and equity for those who would not normally get access to eye health . It is also a cost-effective solution , which is always good news to the government and the individual ,” she said .
Overwhelming support and participation
In his welcoming speech , the 3rd AOC conference Organising Chairmain Woon Pak Seon , said : “ We anticipated 300 delegates , but today we have 600 delegates . I ’ m truly humbled by the overwhelming response .”
Apart from the Malaysian delegates , other participating delegates were from Australia , Cambodia , China , Hong Kong , India , Indonesia , Japan , Philippines , Singapore , Sri Lanka , South Korea , Switzerland , Taiwan , Thailand , United Kingdom , United States and many more .
“ I see the opportunity for us to be more than just conference delegates . Rather I see an opportunity for us to be a movement , where we can spur each other towards excellence , learn from each , and support one another ,” shared Woon .
Association of Malaysian Optometrists ( AMO ) President Ahmad Fadhullah Fuzai said : “ AOC is a platform for industry partners , eye care practitioners , clinicians , researchers and academicians , to showcase their service and work , and support each other to upgrade and enhance eye care services in this region .”
He conveyed his appreciation to the organising committee for successfully organising the conference .
The two-day conference featured eight plenary lectures , 60 workshops , and 21 oral presentations . – The Health