The Chinese doctors at China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center have sent a message to the Maldivian citizens to mark the occasion of the 28th “Sight Day” in China.

June 6 marks the 28th "Sight Day" in China, with the theme of "Prioritizing universal eye health". This year's focus will be on two key groups: children and adolescents, as well as the elderly.

The diseases of focus are myopia and other refractive errors, cataracts, and retinal diseases (including diabetic retinopathy and macular diseases). By targeting these important eye diseases, the aim is to enhance overall eye health throughout the entire life cycle.

The Chinese doctors stationed at the "China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center" (Dr. N.D. Abdulla Abdul Hakeem Ophthalmology Center) are from China's most renowned Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University.

They have been operating and treating patients with eye diseases in Maldives since January and has sent a message to the Maldivian citizens in regards to Chinese Sight Day.

Their message stated that in patients visiting the "China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center", they have found that children, adolescents, and the elderly people require special attention in ophthalmology, similar to their observation in China.

They highlighted that in the Maldives, some children and adolescents have not developed good habits, and that they excessively use electronic devices in their daily lives and studies, leading to a high prevalence of myopia.

Additionally, they highlighted that many myopic children have not received proper medical refraction and standard optical correction, which severely disrupts their physical and mental well-being.

The Maldives, located in the tropical region, is exposed to intense ultraviolet radiation. The message explained that the strong ultraviolet radiation and high proportion of sugar-rich foods in the daily diet contribute to a high prevalence of blinding eye diseases, such as cataracts and diabetic retinopathy, among elderly Maldivians.

Furthermore, they highlighted that many elderly people are unaware of the importance of regular eye examinations. As a result, many patients do not receive timely medical care, leading to permanent visual impairments. 

Hence, on the eve of China's "Sight Day," the Chinese doctors have written this letter to convey an important message - to focus universal eye health as a priority.

As such from the perspective of eye disease prevention and treatment, they sincerely offered the following professional recommendations to the Maldivian citizens:

Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Myopia in Children and Adolescents:

-The clinical studies conducted internationally focusing on children and adolescents have indicated that outdoor activities can help reduce the incidence of myopia among them. Hence, children and adolescents should have at least 2 hours of outdoor activities every day.

-Develop good habits and reduce the use of electronic devices.

-When reading, follow the "20-20-20" rule, which suggests that for every 20 minutes of close-up reading, you should take a break and look at something at least 20 feet away for a minimum of 20 seconds.

-Improve the lighting environment: When there is insufficient natural daylight, turn on reading lights for adequate illumination. When reading in the evening, use both a desk lamp and overhead room lighting to enhance the lighting conditions.

-For children and adolescents, it is advisable to have two comprehensive eye examinations at a reputable ophthalmic clinic each year. These examinations should include assessments of visual acuity, axial length measurement, and medical refraction.

-Children with an axial length of 26.5mm or more should undergo regular monitoring of their eye health, including retinal examinations, at least every six months.

-If there is a refractive error present, it is important to seek timely medical care at an ophthalmic clinic/hospital and obtain the proper prescription of eyeglasses through standard refraction assessment.

Recommendations for Prevention and Control of Age-related Eye Diseases:

-Adopting a healthy lifestyle which is crucial, and includes engaging in regular physical activities, maintaining a balanced diet, and controlling the intake of sugar and high-calorie foods.

-Avoid prolonged and excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation.

-When exposed to strong sunlight or participating in outdoor activities, it is important to wear sunglasses that offer effective UV protection.

-Regular comprehensive health check-ups are important to detect and treat conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension at an early stage.

-Maintaining good control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood lipids can help prevent the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy or slow down its progression. The best approach to prevent diabetic retinopathy is through early screening, diagnosis, and treatment.

-Once type 2 diabetes is diagnosed, it is crucial to undergo a comprehensive initial eye examination as soon as possible. The first eye examination should be conducted at an ophthalmic clinic/hospital. If the results are normal, subsequent diabetic retinopathy screenings can be scheduled every 1-2 years by an ophthalmologist or endocrinologist.

-For early-stage diabetic retinopathy, oral medications can be prescribed to improve retinal microcirculation. In severe cases, options such as retinal laser treatment, intravitreal injections, or vitreoretinal surgery may be considered.

The dedicated team of Chinese ophthalmologists in Maldives have also stated that they are fully committed to delivering comprehensive eye care services and have extended their heartfelt wishes for the everlasting friendship between China and the Maldives.

"The China-Maldives Ophthalmology Center" is a joint establishment by the Chinese and Maldivian governments, equipped with advanced ophthalmic instruments.