Hong Kong has recorded ‘alarmingly high’ rates of glaucoma. Its top university is calling for primary eye care services to tackle the disease
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Hong Kong’s top university is calling on local authorities to introduce primary eye care services after a joint research effort with a charity uncovered “alarmingly high” rates of glaucoma among residents.
The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and non-profit organisation Orbis on Friday published data showing about 8 per cent of more than 1,100 residents who underwent screenings had the irreversible degenerative eye disease.
The research team compared the results with the last population-based study in the region to screen for glaucoma among those over the age of 50, which was carried out in Guangzhou in 2006 and recorded a prevalence rate of just 3.8 per cent.
They also warned that 93 per cent of Hongkongers who tested positive were unaware they had the disease.
Christopher Leung Kai-shun, chairman and clinical professor at HKU’s department of ophthalmology, said: “It’s very important to set up a primary eye care service delivery model.