By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
IPOH: Perak recorded the highest number of cataract patients in the country last year, with 6,555 cases out of a total of 66,493 patients nationwide.
Deputy Health Director (Medical) Datuk Azman Yacob said the rising trend was influenced by several health factors, particularly complications arising from non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as diabetes and high blood pressure.
“About 10 percent of all cataract patients in Malaysia are from Perak, and this is closely linked to NCDs.
“Apart from NCDs, ageing and excessive exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays without proper eye protection can also accelerate the deterioration of the eye lens, eventually leading to cataracts,” he told Ipoh Echo and Peraktastic.
He was speaking at a media conference held in conjunction with the Public-Private Partnership Empowerment Ceremony for the Cataract Surgery Programme between the Malaysian Government and the Perak Chinese Maternity Association (TPCMA) recently.
Azman also stressed the importance of early detection and eye examinations, particularly among the elderly.
He said cataracts left untreated could increase the risk of blindness or lead to complications such as lazy eye (amblyopia).
