World Retina Day Observed In Islamabad
ISLAMABAD, (94 News ) :World Retina Day was observed on Saturday with a call for action by national healthcare systems to provide equitable access to genetic testing services for Inherited Retinal Degenerations (IRDs).
The Day was focused on seeking a cure for Retinitis Pigmentosa and allied diseases. Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) is name of a group of inherited retinal dystrophies that causes degeneration of retina of the eye.
On World Retina Day, the global community of stakeholders comprising patients, researchers, clinicians and allied health professionals highlighted importance of equitable access to genetic testing for IRDs globally in hope of making a real difference – a difference that will be felt around the world in pace of medical, surgical and technological progress towards a bright future.
Pakistan Foundation Fighting Blindness (PFFB), an Islamabad based Not for Profit Organization NGO, is a small yet significant part of this worldwide effort.
The ongoing activities of the Foundation include Audio World Programme, introduced to satisfy educational needs of visually impaired individuals throughout the country.
Another initiative of the Foundation is National Project under which PFFB in collaboration with Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund has established accessible Computer Labs at GovernmentInstitutes for Visually Impaired in different cities.
PFFB has also launched IT Centre Project with an objective to provide a place to Visually Impaired persons wherein they could interact with other blind persons in relaxed environment.
The Center provides opportunity to visually impaired persons from different ages to enhance their computing skills, personality grooming techniques, art and craft jewelry making skills and cookingskills so that numerous educational and employment opportunities could be created for visually impaired persons.
The other initiative is Medical and Research programme which is serving as a focal point for dissemination of information to affected families, specialists and the society at large about genetically inherited eye diseases such as Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP) and Allied Retinal Dystrophies.
When contacted, Lubna Aftab of PFFB on Friday said a public awareness campaign is being conducted to bring attention to growing number of people affected by blindness. The campaign is part of a worldwide educational effort by Retina International, the umbrella organization which is working for finding cures and treatments for this group of hereditary eye diseases which lead to blindness.
On the occasion of World Retina Day, President of Retina International has stressed importance of genotyping in retinal disease.
Retina International urges Global Retina Community to advocate for access to Genotyping services that will expedite development of therapies for unmet need.
Retina International is working to ensure that patients affected by all Retinal Diseases have access to resources that will assist them in making informed decisions about their treatment options and indeed their participation in clinical trials.
