National Eye Hospital offers fresh hope for young keratoconus patients
By Sanath Nanayakkare The National Eye Hospital observed World Keratoconus Day on Nov.10, highlighting advanced diagnostic and treatment options available to help young patients maintain clear vision and secure stable futures. Keratoconus – a progressive eye condition that causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone-like shape – poses a growing threat to […]
On November 10, the National Eye Hospital celebrated World Keratoconus Day, showcasing cutting-edge diagnostic tools and treatment methods designed to assist young patients in preserving clear vision and securing stable futures. Keratoconus, a progressive eye disorder that causes the cornea to thin and bulge into a cone-like shape, poses an escalating risk to young people across Sri Lanka.
Dr. Kusum Ratnayake, speaking on the disease's impact, highlighted that keratoconus predominantly affects children and youth, disrupting their education and preventing many youngsters from obtaining a driver's license. He noted that as the condition advances, entire families suffer through frequent hospital visits, while the economic productivity of affected young individuals is significantly hindered.
The hospital expressed dissatisfaction with current early detection rates, prompting a renewed emphasis on increasing public awareness of the condition throughout the country. Specialists emphasized that timely screenings and advanced intervention techniques can effectively halt the disease's progression, protecting both the educational prospects and long-term quality of life for Sri Lanka's youth.
Dr. Ratnayake urged all schoolchildren to take full advantage of periodic school vision screenings and to undergo eye examinations whenever opportunities arise to prevent late diagnoses.
Written by urgent.news from The Island Sri Lanka's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
