At least 224 people were screened for eye problems and diabetes as Rwanda joined the rest of the world to mark World Sight Day.

The World Sight Day, observed annually on the second Thursday of October, is a global event meant to draw attention on blindness and vision impairment.

This year’s international event was held under the theme, "Stronger Together.” 

At the national level, the day’s celebration was held at Nyarugenge Bus Park in Kigali. The event was orgased by the Ministry of Health in partnership with Fred Hollows Foundation Rwanda among other eye health partners.

The main activity was eye check-ups during which drivers, motorists, among other groups, were screened for refractive errors and other eye problems.

Dr Marie Aime Muhimpundu, the head of non-communicable diseases at Rwanda Biomedical Centre, said the activities mainly aimed at raising the community awareness on the availability of health services for eye care and to sensitise them on preventable eye diseases.

She said research done in 2015 showed that 1 out of 100 of Rwandans has blindness brought by eye diseases, adding that, for this year’s campaign, diabetes and blood pressure were screened because of their close relationship with sight problems,

"People with diabetes or blood pressure are susceptible to eye defects. Motorists were targeted for eye sight check-up because they are always responsible for the safety of the lives of many.

editorial@newtimes.co.rw