January 15, 2020, as part of WORLD SIGHT DAY and the implementation of the Global Sight Blindness Program “Vision 2020: The Right to Vision” by the International Agency for the Blindness Prevention (IAPB) and the World Health Organization (WHO), Support Department of Ophthalmology with the support of NO “All-Ukrainian Association "UKROPTYKA” successfully conducted a scientific-medical event “Cataract Screening”, which was attended by 13 employees of the Department of Ophthalmology, headed by the Head, Professor Sergiy Rykov.

Within the framework of the “Cataract Screening”, a comprehensive diagnostic examination of vision was conducted in accordance with the world standards of cataract diagnostics and prevention of blindness for 422 Academy staff. Problems and diseases of the organ of vision were detected in almost every third. Particular attention should be paid to the fact that an increased level of intraocular pressure and changes in the lens were detected in 20 percent of screening visitors. This is very disturbing information because cataract is a chronic condition characterized by the gradual loss of visual function, which is usually not accompanied by pain, but leads to complete and irreversible blindness if the diagnosis is not made in time and the necessary treatment is not prescribed. Cataract is one of the main causes of secondary glaucoma.

Glaucoma is at particular risk for workers whose work is associated with intense vision at close range (working on a computer), patients with endocrine pathology, especially diabetes, patients with cardiovascular disease, and blood relatives of patients with relatives. Many academics have been diagnosed with myopia, which is also a major risk factor for cataract and glaucoma.

All staff members who underwent medical examination at “Cataract Screening” received specific recommendations, and some patients will be examined and treated at the Clinical Department of Ophthalmology, “Microsurgery Eye Center”.