SIBU - The ’5th Free Eye Screening Campaign for Glaucoma’ held at Dewan Suarah Sibu recently received overwhelming response from health-conscious locals.

According to project chairman John Wong, it was jointly organised by the Kang’s Eye Specialist Clinic, Medical Department Sibu, Dewan Suarah Sibu Sports & Recreation Club and the Malaysian Red Crescent Sibu Chapter.

“The screening was performed by two specialist ophthalmologists Dr Kang Aing Aing and Dr HA Faisal assisted by a number of hospital staff — two medical officers, an optometrist, three assistant medical officers, two staff nurses and two helpers,” he added.

Some committee members from our own organisation also helped.

Wong who is vice-chairman of Malaysian Red Crescent Sibu Chapter said during the last four campaigns (two each in 2012 and 2013) a total of 1,143 people attended the screening with 127 of them found suffering from various eye diseases accounting for 11.11 per cent of the total patients inclusive of 51 cataract cases.

“Sight destroyed by glaucoma cannot be restored. For each month that a glaucoma victim postpones treatment, he or she will lose a very small but priceless percentage of sight which can never be reclaimed,” he said.

Thus, if you are experiencing a gradual loss of sight, you could be suffering from glaucoma.

“The best defence against glaucoma is an eye examination by an eye doctor at least once in a year at the age of 40,” he said.

Blood pressure checking for all participants was also conducted during the event.

Source: Borneo Post Online