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.

Committee

The UAE Eye Health Committee:

Dr. Thuraya Al Hashimi, President. Dr. Al Hashimi is a consultant and head of department at Mafraq hospital in Abu Dhabi Health Authority.

Dr. Manal Taryam, Treasurer. Dr. Taryam is a senior specialist at Dubai Hospital at the Dubai Health Authority, she is currently working with the Noor Dubai Foundation as a consultant and a medical director. Dr. Taryam is also the president of the Emirates Ophthalmic Society.

Dr. Fatima Al Amiri, Member. Dr. Al Amiri is a senior Ophthalmologist and executive director at Al Qassimi hospital at the Ministry of Health.

Ms. Asma Al Shamsi, Member. Ms. Asma is the first local Optometrist in the UAE, former head of the optometry department at the Dubai Health Authority.