Online Desk  :  A team of five renowned ophthalmologists from Singapore has begun treating the patients who suffered eye injuries during the July uprising in the country, report BSS. On Saturday, the first day of their two-day visit, the doctors examined eyes of over a hundred patients at the National Institute of Ophthalmology Hospital (NIO&H) and Bangladesh Eye Hospital, said a press release of Orbis International, an international non-profit non-governmental organization (NGO) dedicated to saving sight worldwide. The ophthalmologists evaluated the treatment provided to the injured, so far, and suggested future treatment and rehabilitation protocols for the patients. The second day on Sunday, they will see more patients at the two hospitals and leave Bangladesh on Sunday night.

The team includes Donald Tan, head of eye and cornea surgery at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, Blanche Lim, clinical director of ophthalmology at National University Hospital, Ronald Yeoh, associate professor and retina surgeon at the Singapore National Eye Centre, Nicole Tan, senior consultant and retina specialist at Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, and Ruben Fu, consultant ophthalmologist at the Singapore National Eye Centre. Dr. Ronald Yeoh expressed satisfaction with the treatment provided to the injured by the Ophthalmology Institute and Hospital.

“The eye injuries suffered by hundreds of people [during the protests] put a huge strain on Bangladesh’s healthcare institutions. But they [the eye hospitals] have managed the patients very efficiently and we have been impressed by the treatment they have provided,” the press release quoting Yeaoh as saying. The Singaporean ophthalmologists have come to Bangladesh under a joint initiative of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Liberation War Affairs, BUET Amra92 Foundation, Bangladesh Eye Hospital, National Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital and Orbis International.

This is the fourth team of ophthalmologists from abroad to treat eye injuries sustained during the July uprising. Earlier, a Chinese, a Nepalese and a French team had come to Bangladesh to treat them. Professor Khair Ahmed Choudhury, director of the Institute of Ophthalmology and Hospital, said the Singaporean doctors will assess the treatment already given to the injured and decide what to do next. “If they (the patients) need further treatment, another team of doctors will come to provide the treatment. If a patient needs treatment abroad, they will also advise them,” he said. The Ophthalmology Institute and Hospital authorities said hundreds of patients who suffered eye injuries during the protests had received treatment at the hospital. Of these, more than 400 had suffered injuries to one eye and 55 to both eyes. Nine of the injured have been sent abroad for better treatment, it added.