70.4pc public transport drivers have eye problems

About 70.4 percent public transport drivers have eye problems, says a survey conducted by Manabik Shahajya Sangstha (MSS) among 500 bus, mini bus, truck, and lorry drivers in eight bus stands in Dhaka.

Of this 70.4 percent, 73.29 percent has problem in both eyes, 14.49 in left eyes and 12.22 in right eyes.

They conducted the survey on January 1, 2019 among public transportation drivers under an eye care project titled "Healthy Eyes for Road Safety".

They revealed the results of this survey at a press conference yesterday at MSS Head office in Dhaka.

They performed a preliminary scan to assess the drivers' ophthalmic condition, and to determine their interest in obtaining eye care services at cheapest rates, said Feroz M Hassan, president of MSS.

Hassan also said, “Healthy eyes are necessary to ensure safe driving. Many drivers have eye problems but they cannot realise it, or they simply overlook it. It was found that 31.53 percent had pain in their eyes, 32.24 percent had experienced itching, and 57.95 had a problem with eyes watering. Most of the drivers in this survey were 31-40 years old who have more than 10 years of experience in driving and never checked up their eyes.”

Most notably, around 109 drivers said that they have faced problems seeing road signs, he further added.

Hassan said they are planning to provide eye treatment to the drivers from today morning.

Swapna Reza, assistant director of MSS; Tarikul Ghani, advisor of MSS, and Dr Ahmed Taher Hamid Ali, director general of Al Bashar International Foundation, were present at the programme among others.