Acting Minister of Health Pehin Dato Hj Hazair Hj Abd speaking during the 3rd National Opthalmology Symposium

Bandar Seri Begawan - The human eyes are among the smallest organs in the entire body but at the same time big indicators of what ails it.

"Sometimes, examination of the eyes can provide the first clue to the presence of a hidden disorder in a different area of the body," Acting Minister of Health Pehin Orang Kaya Pekerman Laila Diraja Dato Paduka Hj Hazair Hj Abdullah said yesterday.

Speaking during the 3rd National Ophthalmology Symposium held at the Kiulap Hotel Plaza, the acting health minister, explained that even though the eye was only a very small pan of the body, diseases that occur in different areas of the body would often have an effect on the eye.

He cited how diabetes mellitus could affect the eyesight, which could lead to blindness and that a visual field effect might indicate the presence of brain tumour.

The health official also said that many still lack understanding and awareness on the importance of having health eyesight and that despite many advances in medical science, the number of people suffering from serious impairment was growing.

In 2008, the Ophthalmology Department of the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (Ripas) Hospital treated 67, 127 outpatients, in addition to performing 1,083 surgeries and 679 laser procedures.

"Blindness is one of the most feared health threats in our society," said the acting health minister.

"In a society where visual communication is ever-increasing, visual loss has a devastating impact on physical, social and emotional wellbeing and is also a major economic burden," he stressed.

Citing statistics from the World Health Organisation, Pehin Dato Hj Hazair informed the participants that about 135 million people visually impaired and 45 million blind worldwide, 1.4 million of which are children.

"Not only is the economic burden of global blindness high, but eye diseases such as cataracts, trachoma, glaucoma, and onchocerciasis can result in death," he said.

With this in mind, the acting minister spoke of how the Ophthalmology Department is the first medical specialty to provide specialty services in all four districts of Brunei. "More recently the community ophthalmology programme has been initiated to take eye care to the people by providing ophthalmology clinics at primary health centres," he said, adding that this Outreach Programme would be further supplemented with the introduction of mobile clinics next year.

The acting minister anticipated that the Outreach Programme would provide a more integrated approach towards prevention, early detection and treatment of blindness.

The programmme is hoped to improve the effectiveness of vision screening through adoption of evidence based techniques, standardized recordings and referral guidelines.

It also hopes to improve communication and coordination between eye care providers and other healthcare providers, in addition to defining risk groups and urging annual examinations as well as increasing the overall number of patients receiving comprehensive eye examinations.

Other objectives include the development of more programmes to support the full range of services required by people with vision impairment and implementing national eye care and ageing education initiatives aimed at older adults and their caregivers, as well as healthcare professionals.

The acting minister also called for a more holistic approach when it comes to management of illness and patient care.

"It is becoming increasingly clear that no single professional group can meet the patients' need in a complex, fast paced and demanding environment of healthcare delivery," he said.

"An ophthalmologist may need to depend on the radiologist for information regarding orbital fractures or a foreign body inside the eye. The paediatrician needs the ophthalmologist for management of retinopathy in a premature baby," said Pehin Dato Hj Hazair, before explaining that multi-disciplinary teamwork is about making the most of different skills to meet patients' needs and creating satisfying and supportive working groups.

"With a multi-disciplinary approach to clinical management, an accurate diagnosis can be achieved promptly with immediate formulation and implementation of a healthcare plan. Even in difficult cases, effective teamwork provides the best solutions," he said.

The importance of updating the health care professionals' knowledge and understanding as well as communication between doctors and patients were also stressed.

"Excellent medical care should be a good partnership between patient and doctor which is based on good communication," he said, adding that good communication results in greater patient confidence and increased adherence to treatment regimens.

The 3rd National Ophthalmology Symposium, organised by the Department of Ophthalmology, was attended by some 250 participants comprising health professionals from both private and government sectors in the country.

Held to provide information regarding current concepts of eye disorders management in relation to systemic diseases, the symposium will also allow the participants to not only share first hand knowledge but also address issues and concerns among each other.-- Courtesy of The Brunei Times

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