Eyeworld

119 EW INTERNATIONAL October 2016 reduce blindness from trachoma; (3) innovative approaches to reduce and correct refractive errors in school- age children; or (4) epidemiological surveys in geographical areas where there is no recent data available or where repeated surveys may inform existing trends. "The Lions Ophthalmology Educational Center in Prague, an institution that serves many Europe- an countries through the provision of educational programs to eyecare professionals, public health research, and monitoring of eyecare services, offers a diabetic retinopathy teach- ing course, which is partially sup- ported by IAPB. The implementation of DR telemedical screening pro- grams and laser therapy is a highly recommended way of decreasing the prevalence of DR-related visual impairment," Dr. Németh said. The next focus of IAPB-Europe is retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), for which it seeks to establish European national ROP screening programs and provide fundus laser therapy and workshops, which have already start- ed. "For all of these tasks, joint forces are needed in European countries that include ophthalmologists from ophthalmologic societies, national ophthalmology boards, and univer- sity departments. We also need the involvement of medical specialists such as for DR and ROP, educational and rehabilitation institutes, civil organizations, and government," Dr. Németh said. EW References 1. Pascolini D, et al. Global estimates of visual impairment: 2010. Br J Ophthalmol. 2012;96:614–8. 2. Zatic T, et al. Rapid assessment of avoidable blindness and diabetic retinopathy in Republic of Moldova. Br J Ophthalmol. 2015;99:832– 836. Editors' note: Dr. Németh has no finan- cial interests related to his comments. Contact information Németh: nemeth.janos@med.semmelweis-univ.hu responsible for blood sugar testing, a health worker for connecting participants with the teams, and a driver. The random selection of examination sites was performed by the Hungarian Central Statisti- cal Office. The teams were issued standardized survey forms and used portable instruments to measure visual acuity, blood sugar, and for direct and indirect ophthalmoscope examinations." The prevalence of blindness in Hungary was 0.9%, and the ma- jor causes of blindness were: AMD (27.3%), other posterior segment diseases (27.3%), untreated cataract (21.2%), glaucoma (12.1%), and dia- betic retinopathy (6.1%). The major cause of severe visual impairment (SVI) and moderate visual impair- ment (MVI) was untreated cataract (SVI: 35.3%, MVI: 49.7%). The study showed that the causes of blindness and visual impairment were more frequent with advancing age. "Our investigation revealed that 45% of bilateral blindness is avoid- able, meaning it is either prevent- able or treatable. However, 55% of people with blindness need vision rehabilitation. The Hungarian RAAB study showed that the prevalence of blindness was lower (0.9%) than earlier WHO estimates (2.5%). Visual rehabilitation must be offered to the high percentage of individuals with visual impairment, numbering 33,000 blind people and 218,000 people with low vision. Hungary's high prevalence of avoidable blind- ness highlights the importance of establishing nationwide screening programs and telemedical screening systems," Dr. Németh said. Funding LCIF provides funds to support pub- lic health research initiatives that evaluate and directly influence the operation of the SightFirst program, which is LCIF's premier initiative to strengthen eyecare systems in underserved communities. SightFirst research grants of up to $100,000 are available to support projects that investigate: (1) innovative approach- es to reduce blindness from cata- ract; (2) innovative approaches to 877-708-6033 mti.net/ophthalmology 440 STRETCHER BED • Power lift, back, tilt & foot • Smart Lithium battery powered • 11.5" or 16" vertical travel • Mobile Base • Ultra -Thin backrest • Articulating headrest • Save $3400 at AAO

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