Prevalence Of Blindness Among Malaysians Aged 50 And Above Shows Decline - MOH

IPOH, Oct 9 (Bernama) -- The prevalence of blindness among Malaysians aged 50 and above has shown a significant decline, dropping from 1.5 per cent in 2014 to 0.7 per cent this year.

Health Ministry (MOH) Medical Development Division director Datuk Dr Mohd Azman Yacob said the data was obtained from the Fourth National Eye Survey 2025, conducted in the Northern Zone covering Perak, Penang, Kedah and Perlis.

“It shows that all the programmes implemented have been effective and have successfully reduced the burden of cataract cases,” he said.

“Among them is the MOH’s Cataract Clinic, established in 2013 as part of the government’s commitment to preventing blindness caused by cataracts, focusing on screening and treatment, particularly in rural areas,” he said.

He said this when officiating the national level World Sight Day 2025 celebration, which was also attended by Perak Health director Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha, here today.

He also added that complications of diabetes in the eyes, namely diabetic retinopathy, have become a major and growing cause of visual impairment.

He said findings from the Fourth National Eye Survey 2025 revealed that diabetic retinopathy accounted for 13 per cent of blindness cases in the Northern Zone.

“Therefore, collaboration between the fields of ophthalmology and public health is crucial to ensure early detection of diabetic retinopathy among diabetes patients.

“This will enable early referral to ophthalmologists for sight-threatening cases, allowing patients to receive prompt treatment and reduce the risk of blindness,” he said.

-- BERNAMA