The event, organised by the Vietnam Ophthalmology Association in coordination with Vietnam’s Central Ophthalmology Hospital, saw the attendance of 600 doctors, surgeons and technicians representing ophthalmological hospitals and centres nationwide, along with experts from Japan, India, Singapore, Philippines and Thailand.

The event focused on assessing the work of preventing from blindness in 2008, while exchanging experiences and laying out directions for the future.

The rate of blindness in the country remained high in 2008 with 0.5 percent of the population suffering from the condition. The primary reason for the high level was attributed to poverty and lack of medical treatment centres.

Ophthalmological staff, particularly in mountainous and remote areas, is lacking in both quantity and quality.

The Vietnam Ophthalmology Association also used the event to commend and reward five units in Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Can Tho, Vinh Long and Hai Phong, which had recorded excellent results in preventing blindness.