Restructuring undergraduate Tea Chang and training programme in ophthalmology to meet visual health challenges of 21st century

In Pakistan we lack not only statistics about health problems but also effective health delivery system. Presently available data about causes of blindness though extremely limited indicates that most of this tragic outcome is preventable provided primary eye care is delivered in time. In our community general practitioners [GP] and Medical Officers working at Basic Health Units, Rural Health Centres and Tehsil Headquarter Hospital, have an important role in providing primary eye care in addition to general health care. Many eye conditions can be treated by them; however there are many conditions which may be puzzling and raise the question of whether to treat or refer, when to refer and to whom? A survey of the present system indicated that it is not geared towards this objective of identifying treatable from referable eye disease including the degree of urgency involved. No significant eye care is provided at BHU, RHC, THQ levels and very minimal at GP level. To enable primary health care team to provide eye care and play a prophylactic role against potentially blinding eye diseases, definite course objectives, strategies of teaching and training for undergraduates are recommended