REPORT ON EYE CARE PROGRAMME FOR STAFF AND STUDENTS

The Health and Safety Committee organised an awareness programme on eye care for staff and students on 14 November 2018. The event was held in the Lecture Theatre from 8.30 to 11am.

Dr Muna Mubarak, Ophthalmology section, Ibri Regional Hospital, was the resource person. The doctor focused on the importance of eye care and general procedures to be followed on eye care. She presented a few eye problems like dry eyes, inflammation of eyelids and strabismus with causes and remedies.

Dry eye is the state in which a person feels a burning sensation in his eyes due to the decrease in production of tears. It is caused by aging and misuse of medication. Artificial eye drops in place of natural tears as well as tear-stimulating drugs is the remedy for this problem.

Inflammation of eye lids is the swelling of eye lids when there is inflammation or excess fluid in the connective tissues surrounding the eye. Swollen eye lids are due to allergies, bacteria and so on. Prescribed ointment for the eye lids and antibiotics are two common treatments for the inflammation of eye lids.

Strabismus is the misalignment of the two eyes when one eye is focused on an object while the other eyes is aligned inwards, outwards, upwards or downwards. This problem occurs due to muscle eye weakness, nervous system weakness and poor eyesight. During the initial stages of the treatment, a few exercises are conducted in order to improve eye sight and glasses are prescribed according to the intensity of the Strabismus. In extreme cases, eye surgery is conducted to strengthen the muscles of the eye.

After the presentation, a preliminary vision screening test was conducted for students and staff. Thirty-four students and staff benefitted from this and a few students were advised to consult eye specialists for further treatment and vision correction. The eye care programme was well received by the staff members and students.