Kathmandu, September 22

Ten places in Kathmandu valley were declared avoidable blindness-free yesterday. Mahadevsthan, Bhandari Tole, Char Ghare, AnantaMarg, Dadha Gaun, Chunipakha, Gairi Gaun and Lapton Gaun in Ward No 22 of Bungamati, Lalitpur, and Daichhap and Suntala Gaun in Ward No 9 of Chhampi, Lalitpur, have been declared avoidable blindness-free.

Nepal Eye Hospital in collaboration with Operation Eyesight Universal had started ‘Hospital-Based Community Eye Health Project’ at four places — Thankot, Tokha, Sankhu and Khokana — where more than 300 households were provided free check-up.

Avoidable blindness is a blindness which can either be treated or prevented. Ninety per cent of eye health problems are related to avoidable blindness. Cataract, glaucoma, eye injuries, vision impairment, vitamin A deficiency, trachoma and eye health problems caused by blood pressure, diabetes and hypertension can be treated, according to the hospital.

Maj Gen Daman B Ghale, chief executive officer of Nepal Eye Hospital, said they had been providing eye health services in four places in the valley since 2015. “So far, we have only been able to declare 10 places as avoidable blindness-free.

‘’Hospital-Based Community Eye Health Project’ has reached 54,342 persons of which 2,056 are free from avoidable blindness.

Aly Bandali, president and CEO of OEU, said cataract was one of the main problems in Kathmandu valley.  “Along with cataract, diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma also cause avoidable blindness,” he said, adding that due to lack of financial support, people in the village areas were unable to get eye  treatment on time. The project aims to provide quality services to all people.

Aatma Ram Thapa, ward chief of Godawari- 9, said 10 per cent people had eye health problems in the ward.