Experts have said that diabetic patients should regularly have their eyes checked thoroughly to avoid developing complications.
"Diabetic patients must be aware that retinal and fundus examinations are necessary, they are not safe by vision test & changing glasses alone," Prof Dr Md Sharfuddin Ahmed, vice-chancellor of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) said.
He also highlighted other eye complications—including blepharitis, cystoid macular edema, cataracts, and neovascular glaucoma, among other important issues.
The BSMMU VC was discussing retinal disease and diabetic retinopathy in detail at an event in Dhaka, according to a press release on Sunday.
Ship International Hospital, a joint venture project from Japan and Bangladesh and supported by JICA, organized an international Continuing Medical Education (CME) program on “Advancement of Community Ophthalmology in Japan and Bangladesh” recently.
Pointing out to the fact that BSMMU has many Memorandum of Understanding with different government organization, he said Japanese University or international organization and BSMMU can make a MoU to reach remote areas and ensure services.
He mentioned about one of participant of the program, Dr Naofumi Kita, CEO of Mitas Medical Inc, who developed a device which is beneficial to check the eyesight remotely and can diagnose the disease easily and can support our remote area people.
"We should establish technology transfers and research for knowledge and skills transfer between two countries" he said expressing his expectation to JICA about supporting this technical transfer.
The program was also attended by Prof Dr Zafar Khaled, chairman of Department of Ophthalmology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) as a special guest and Prof. Dr Md Showkat Kabir, Chairman - Department of Community Ophthalmology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU),as a special guest, also participated Associate Professor Dr. M Shish Rahman, Department of Community Ophthalmology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) as a Speaker , Associate Professor Dr. Shams Mohammed Noman, Glaucoma and Phaco Surgeon-Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU) as a Speaker, Dr. Sheikh Mahbub Us Sobhan- Harun Eye Foundation Hospital, as a Speaker.
Japanese Specialists Prof Dr Makoto Aihara, director, University of Tokyo, Department of Ophthalmology, was present virtually at the event and Dr Kazuhiko Dannoue, chairman of Dannoue Eye Clinic, and Dr Naofumi Kita, CEO of Mitas Medical Inc. were present physically at this event.
The program was presided over by Dr Muntasir Bin Shahid, senior consultant of ophthalmology department at SHIP International Hospital.
Launched in 2016, Ship International Hospital is an international quality hospital with 650 beds located at Dhaka-Ashulia Highway, Nishatnagar, Turag, Dhaka and is fully managed by Japanese management.