The government has expressed concern over the increasing cases of eye defects among Ugandans.

The health ministry links the problem to growing recklessness among Ugandans when it comes to eye care. 

Statistics reveal that 2.5 million Ugandans had both moderate and severe eye-related impairments. Approximately 150,000 are completely blind (0.4%).

The director of health services, Dr. Charles Olaro, on Tuesday told reporters at Uganda Media Centre in Kampala that it was high time for Ugandans to act since most of the eye-related complications, are caused by preventable triggers.

(L-R) Dr. Dennis Erima the general secretary Ophthalmologist Body of Uganda interacting with Dr. Charles Olaro the director health services at the health ministry.

"Most eye diseases are preventable; therefore, Ugandans need to be careful,” Olaro disclosed.

Dr. Olaro was flanked by Stanley Bubichile, the Assistant commissioner of health services and Denis Erima, the secretary general of the ophthalmologists’ body of Uganda. 

And this was during the briefing on the progress made by the government and other non-state actors in the provision of eye care. 

This was part of the highlights to commemorate World Sight Day.

The Day is commemorated every year on the 2nd Thursday of October to increase awareness about good eye health and the prevention of blindness. 

(L-R) Dr. Stanley Bubikire the Ministry of Health Assistant Commissioner in charge of Health services interacting with Dr. Charles Olaro the director health services at the health ministry.

This year it will be marked under the theme “Love your eyes to ensure that everyone counts.”

According to the health ministry’s health management information system (HMIS), eye diseases are one of the top 10 causes of morbidity and outpatient (OPD) attendance.

“It is out of this background that the ministry of health has included eye care in its minimum health care package of health sector strategic plan and investment plan,” Olaro said.

The ministry reported that 57.1% of blindness in Uganda is caused by cataracts, while uncorrected refractive errors are the commonest cause of visual impairments.

There are 17 common or priority eye conditions in Uganda, which include cataracts, primary open-angle glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, refractive errors, low vision, retinoblastoma, conjunctivitis, the foreign body of the eye, keratitis, conjunctivitis of the newborn, trachoma, eye injuries and styre.

The government according to Olaro has adopted several strategies to improve eye health, most of them embedded in the Eye Health Plan 2021-2025, which is under development. 

It's among others calls for increased human resources for eye care, strengthening eye health leadership and coordination on top of increased eye care funding.

According to the ministry, Karamonja leads in eye defects caused by trachoma infections ahead of the Busoga sub-region.

However, the government according to Dr. Bubikire is yet to establish why cases are high in Busoga and Karamonja. 

He said the government has launched an investigation.

Globally more than 253 million people are visually impaired; among them, 124 million have low vision while 36 million are blind. 

Ugandans have been advised to avoid self-medication when facing eye problems.