• 1.1%  of the people were found to be visually impaired
• Most  people who visit eye clinics have lost up to 80% of their vision

By Chaturanga Samarawickrama 

The number of people who are visually impaired in the country is high when compared to other countries in the region, the Ceylon Eye Care Optometric Association (CECOA)  said. 

While holding a press conference in Colombo yesterday, CECOA founder and eye care specialist Naresh Pradhan said they conducted investigations in 2013 and 2015 and disclosed that 1.1% of the people were found to be visually impaired. 

“0.47% blindness is recorded in India and 0.34% in Nepal. However, it is higher in Sri Lanka. Most people who visit eye clinics have lost up to 80% of their vision. “After 80% damage, there is no way to restore vision,” he said. 
Because of the pandemic, most people spent their time on their phones and in front of computers. Most of the children had to continue with their studies using online platforms for more than five hours continuously, Mr. Pradhan said. 

The specialist said that this is a huge risk given the increasing rate of visually impaired people in the country.