Vietnam Announces First WHO-Compliant Trachoma Control Results
Vietnam has announced the results of its trachoma control program, adhering to World Health Organization (WHO) standards, for the first time, marking a significant achievement for the Central Eye Hospital and Vietnam's healthcare sector, local media reported.
The announcement was made at the 2024 National Ophthalmology Conference held in the central province of Thanh Hoa on August 9-11. The event, organized by the Central Eye Hospital in collaboration with relevant units, also celebrated the 107th anniversary of the hospital's founding (1917-2024).
The conference attracted over 1,000 participants, including ophthalmologists, surgeons, and technicians from eye hospitals and centers across all 63 provinces, as well as international experts from countries such as Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Australia, and Spain. Over 100 scientific reports were presented, covering new techniques in diagnosis and treatment
Key information from the conference highlighted major causes of blindness in Vietnam, including cataracts, which account for 74% of cases.
The national goal for blindness prevention by 2030 includes reducing the blindness rate to below four per 1,000 people, increasing cataract surgeries to over 3.5 per 1,000 people, achieving over 95% cataract surgeries for the blind, and ensuring over 75% of diabetes patients and over 95% of school-age children receive early eye exams and corrective lenses.