Ipoh: 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 highlighted this positive trend, attributing the decrease to the successful implementation of various health programmes.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the data was obtained from the Fourth National Eye Survey 2025, conducted in the Northern Zone, which includes Perak, Penang, Kedah, and Perlis. Dr Mohd Azman emphasized that the initiatives, particularly the MOH’s Cataract Clinic established in 2013, have been effective in reducing the burden of cataract cases. The clinic focuses on screening and treatment, especially in rural areas, as part of the government’s commitment to preventing blindness caused by cataracts.

Dr Mohd Azman shared these insights while officiating the national level World Sight Day 2025 celebration, which was also attended by Perak Health director Dr Feisul Idzwan Mustapha. He pointed out that diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes affecting the eyes, has emerged as a significant and growing cause of visual impairment.

The Fourth National Eye Survey 2025 findings revealed that diabetic retinopathy accounted for 13 per cent of blindness cases in the Northern Zone. Dr Mohd Azman stressed the importance of collaboration between ophthalmology and public health sectors to ensure early detection of diabetic retinopathy among diabetes patients. Early referral to ophthalmologists for sight-threatening cases can enable prompt treatment, reducing the risk of blindness.