Original Article by RSN MURALI was published on THE STAR on 15th July, 2023.
MELAKA: An event on myopia management to address vision impairment will be held here.
Asia Optometric Congress advisory council member and Eyecon Optometry Network CEO Datuk Murphy Chan Hian Kee said the seminar on eye health would be held on Sunday (July 9) at Holiday Inn Hotel here.
“There is a need to address myopia as it is now the number one vision-related issue in Asia,” he said on Saturday (July 1).
Chan said myopia would result in future eye disease complications such as cataracts, glaucoma, retinal detachment, macular degeneration and other complications.
He said myopia has become more widespread in recent times due to lifestyle and increased screen time.
Chan said the seminar is also crucial in view that the World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates that half of the population of the world may be myopic by 2050.
Chan said during the seminar focus would be also on managing diabetic retinopathy, which is an eye condition associated with diabetes.
He said diabetic retinopathy does not present with any particular symptoms or cause loss of vision until a later stage.
“This is a reason that we need to create awareness on early screening,” he said.
Chan said the seminar would talk about the latest developments to examine the eye more effectively and accurately, especially for Myopia.
“We are committed to organising more programmes on eye health as diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy can’t be ignored,” he added.