The ceremony to commemorate World Sight Day 2025 was held yesterday morning at the meeting hall of the Ministry of Health in Nay Pyi Taw.

Union Minister for Health Professor Dr Thet Khaing Win, ministry officials, and representatives from partner organizations attended the event.

In his address, the Union minister cited World Health Organization (WHO) estimates indicating that around one billion people worldwide live with vision impairment, of whom 90 per cent are from developing countries. He noted that 80 per cent of vision impairments are preventable or treatable. In Myanmar, major causes of blindness include cataract, refractive errors, eye injuries, glaucoma, diabetes, and hypertension. He also highlighted that the WHO officially declared Myanmar free from trachoma in September 2020.
Although infectious eye diseases such as trachoma have declined, the Minister stressed the need to strengthen the prevention and treatment of non-communicable eye diseases associated with diabetes and hypertension. Eye health checks have been integrated into school health programmes to improve children’s eye care. To reduce cataract-related blindness, cataract surgeries are being performed not only in hospitals but also through outreach surgery programmes in rural areas.

This year’s World Sight Day is observed under the theme Love Your Eyes — Share Knowledge for Better Vision and Value Eye Health. The Union minister urged everyone to prioritize eye health, undergo regular eye examinations, and support equitable access to eye care services for all.

Afterwards, the Union minister and attendees visited a mini exhibition and observed eye care activities and the distribution of eyeglasses.

MNA/KZL

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