UAE national committee for EYE HEALTH

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. Facts and Figures by UAE Eye Health
The UAE Eye Health committee released figures related to the eye health program in the UAE, these are:
Number of Ophthalmologists: 314
Number of Refractionists: 800
Number of Optometrists: 150
Number of low vision workers: 20

Distribution of Ophthalmologists in the UAE:
Ministry Of Health: 37
Abu Dhabi Health Authority: 33
Dubai Health Authority: 18
Private sector: 220

The Estimate cause of Blindness in the UAE:
Cataract 30%
Refractive errors 30%
Diabetic Retinopathy 10%
Glaucoma 10%
Corneal opacities 5%
Others (Trauma, childhood blindness) 5%

Cataract Surgical Rate (CSR)/million population:
2004: 1200 surgeries
2007: 1400 surgeries

RAAB sensitisation Workshop held in the UAE:
United Arab Emirates (UAE) National committee for eye health and prevention of blindness and the Supreme Council for Family affairs in Sharjah in collaboration with EMR-IAPB organised a 4-day Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) sensitisation workshop from 15-18 October 2009 at Sharjah, UAE.

The objectives of the workshop were to enlighten eye care professionals on the RAAB methodology for advocacy and planning, to practice the concept and procedures of the RAAB methodology and to Identify difficulties that may be faced in the conduct of RAAB survey in the UAE.

Eighteen Ophthalmologists and optometrists from the Ministry of Health, Abu Dhabi Health Authority and Dubai Health Authority participated in the workshop. The workshop was coordinated by the UAE National coordinator for the National committee for eye health and prevention of blindness Dr Thoraya Al-Hashimi and a member of the committee Dr Manal Taryam. The workshop which consisted of lectures, group work and discussions, practice on patients, field work, and data management sessions was facilitated by a RAAB trainer –Dr Mansur Rabiu from EMR-IAPB/IMPACT-EMR, Saudi Arabia.

About Us

Emirates prevention of Blindness: from Right-to-Sight to Eye health committee

Staff Report
Published: September 08, 2009, 22:30

April 2002, UAE endorsed the international initiative "Vision 2020 - Right to Sight". The Global declaration of Support was signed by HE Mr. Hamad Al Madfaa, former Minister of Health, HH Prince Abdelaziz Bin Ahmed Al Saud, Chair of the EMR-IAPB and HE Dr. Hussein Al Jazairi, Director General EMR-WHO.

September 2006, The ministry of health issued a decree to establish the National Committee for prevention of Blindness under the leadership of Dr. Thuraya Al Hashmi, Consultant and head of the Ophthalmology department at Al Mafraq hospital. The committee also included ophthalmologists from the Ministry of Health and Dubai health Authority.

December 2006, The committee organized the first National Plan Workshop in Sharjah in collaboration with EMR-IAPB. The Workshop was conducted by IAPB consultants including:
Prof. Daud Khan, Dr. Abdelaziz Al Rajhi, Dr. Baber Qureshi and Dr. Adel Al Rushood.

May 2007, The committee launched the Prevention of Blindness National Strategy in a ceremony that was hosted by the ministry of health under the patronage of HE Mr. Humaid Al Qutami in the presence of Dr. Abdelaziz Al Rajhi co-chair of EMR-IAPB.

November 2008, The committee conducted a POB session titled “GCC best practice in POB" in collaboration with the Emirates Ophthalmic Congress (EOC2008) and awarded Dr. Abdelaziz Al Rajhi, Dr. Adel Al Rushood and Dr. Shariq Masoud for their valuable support to the national committee.

November 2008, During the Regional 5 year follow-up plan meeting, in Cairo, it was decided to change the name from Right to Sight to Eye health.

September 2009, The UAE Eye Health Committee launched its website www.uaeyehealth.com which is currently hosting the National Registry for the blind and the visually impaired.