Busoga, Karamoja, worst affected by Eye infections.

By; Ben Musanje

12^th Oct. 2021

Busoga region and Karamoja Sub-region have been identified as the mostly affected areas with trachorma and cataracts in Uganda.

This comes at time when Uganda prepares to join the rest of the international community to mark the World Sight Day on October 14.

According to the Ministry of Health, at least 2.5 million people are suffering from moderate and severe impairment yet 144,000 are blind.

Addressing the journalists today in Kampala ahead of the World Sight Day, Dr. Charles Olaro the Director Health Services In Charge of Curative says that 57.1% of blindness is caused by cataracts while uncorrected refractive errors are the commonest cause of visual impairment.

Dr. Stanley Bubichile, the Assistant Commissioner for Health Services in Charge of Coordinating Eye Services in the Health Ministry says they have put in place measures of controlling eye related diseases, appealing to the public to also have regular checkups and always seek assistance from qualified eye health workers in case they notice unusual eye behaviors.

The national celebrations for the World Sight Day in Uganda are expected to take place in Moroto district under the theme: “Love your eyes to ensure that every one counts” and several activities like a medical camp where services like eye screening, treatment of eye diseases, eye surgery and prescription will be provided.