Community Medicine and Prevention of Blindness

Park, Hyung Jong

Abstract

1. Contribution of community medicine to prevention of blindness. Efforts to prevent blindness have been made by health agencies in many countries and have made great contribution in preventing needless loss of sight from various causes. 1) By requiring the administration of silver nitrate to prevent sore eyes in babies, the incidence of ophthalmia neonatorum has dropped remarkably. 2) By requiring blood tests for syphilis for both the prospective bride and groom before marrage, the incidence of blindness due to syphilis has been dropped. 3) By checking the overuse of oxygen among premature babies in newborn nurseries, blindness due to retrolental fibroplasia was greatly reduced. 4) Blindness due to hereditary factors has been prevented by giving genetic counseling. 5) Occupational or industrial health programs have contributed in preventing blindness due to poisons or injuries which are likely to occur in the industrial setting. 6) Effective communicable disease control has resulted in a decrease in blindness. 7) Effective nutritional programs have contributed to the prevention of blindness from nutritional deficiencies. 8) Eye screening resulting in early detection and treatment in schools was a great help in reducing blindness. 2. Recommendations for prevention of blindness. 1) Active community health education programs should be instituted. 2) Training of health professions in prevention of blindness should be strengthend. 3) Community participation in the programs for early detection, diagnosis and treatment should be encouraged by stimulating the community.

Community Medicine and Prevention of Blindness

Abstract

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