There is a dearth of adequate number of ophthalmologists to provide treatment to the cataract patients in the country, speakers at a programme in the city on Wednesday said.
They also said the country would need around 3,200 ophthalmologists by 2032, whereas the figure is now only 1,400.
The speakers highlighted the need for creating awareness among people, mostly the elderly ones, about the cataract problem.
They came up with the views at a discussion on cataract scenario in Bangladesh, held at the Milton Hall of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).
The Bangladesh Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons (BSCRS) organised the event with Incepta Pharmaceuticals as the scientific partner. It was held as a part of observing June as the cataract awareness month.
Asaduzzaman Noor MP attended the programme as the chief guest, while BSMMU Vice-Chancellor (VC) Professor Dr. Md. Sharfuddin Ahmed was the guest of honour.
BSCRS President Prof. Dr. Zafar Khaled was the chairperson of the programme and its Secretary General Prof. Dr. Md. Mostak Ahmed made a keynote presentation.
Chairman of BSCRS Scientific Committee Prof. Dr. M. Nazrul Islam, BSCRS President-Elect Dr. Md Abdur Rakib Tushar, and its Vice President Dr. Md. Showkat Kabir spoke on the occasion, among others.
The keynote paper said blindness in Bangladesh had been reduced by 35 per cent in the last two decades, which came down to 1.01 per cent in 2020 from 1.53 per cent in 2000.
