2016 National Ophthalmology Conference in Can Tho
VOV.VN - More than 1,400 Vietnamese and international ophthalmologists on October 29 gathered at the 2016 National Ophthalmology Conference in Can Tho City.
The annual meeting offered professors and doctors in the field the chance to exchange experiences, professional knowledge, and get updates on the latest developments.
Doctor Nguyen Xuan Hiep, Director of the Hanoi-based Central Eye Hospital said,“Vietnam aims to reduce the preventable blindness rate among people aged above 50 from 1.8% to 1.6% by 2020. Vietnam needs to improve public access to eye care services which will be integrated into the current national medical system.”
The number of blind people over 50 years old in Vietnam continues to decline sharply, from 443,700 in 2000 to 329,300 in 2015. If including those under 50, the total number of blind people is around 378,700, he said, noting that the main cause of blindness is cataract (74% of the cases).
Statistics of the Vietnam Ophthalmologists Association show there are nearly 2,000 eye doctors working in both public and private hospitals. While the number is sufficient to meet treatment demand, most of the doctors work in cities and delta areas, leaving remote regions lacking in eye experts.
Participants also suggested more eye doctors should be trained for disadvantaged areas and efforts to improve access to eye care should be included in health care development plans.