A&B can lead global fight against avoidable blindness, says optometrist
By Tahna Westontahna.weston@antiguaobserver.comOptometrist Dr Jillia Bird believes Antigua and Barbuda has a chance to lead the world in fighting avoidable blindness.Bird, who said she has worked to tackle the problem for nearly 40 years, spoke about the government’s Zero Blindness Initiative on The Big Issues programme on Observer Radio.Although she is not directly involved in […]
Black News
By Tahna Weston
tahna.weston@antiguaobserver.com
Optometrist Dr Jillia Bird believes Antigua and Barbuda has a chance to lead the world in fighting avoidable blindness.
Bird, who said she has worked to tackle the problem for nearly 40 years, spoke about the government’s Zero Blindness Initiative on The Big Issues programme on Observer Radio.
Although she is not directly involved in the project, she credited Dr Aubrey Webson and his team for years of work with partners at the United Nations, including UN Friends of Vision.
Bird welcomed the government’s focus on eye health.
“For me to see the policymakers laser focused on vision and eye health, all I can say is happy times. If we can keep this momentum going a lot can change here. We shouldn’t go wrong. But truth be told, zero blindness isn’t totally achievable because of genetic retinal conditions, optic nerve injury, conditions like retinitis pigmentosa,” she said.
Bird noted the aim is zero avoidable blindness and that the World Health Organisation (WHO) puts avoidable blindness at 80 to 90 per cent of all cases.
Bird made mention of the ongoing school eye screenings under the Prime Minister’s Vision Initiative for several thousand children. Eye clinics are also expected to be open in several communities.
Bird said patients should ask about glaucoma at screenings, warning that a basic vision check does not test for it.
“You can get a vision clarity screening which is visual acuity without being specifically tested for glaucoma. And as far as I’m concerned, and many other people that subscribe to this, glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in Black Caribbean eyes. I have said it a million times and I stand by it,” she said.
Bird also wants a change in schools to protect children’s sight. She has written to the minister of education, copied to the minister of health, with ways she can help make physical education a core subject alongside maths, English and science. She said children are losing sight by not spending enough time outdoors.
