But vision device and professional advice could enable them to do their personal work independently, they added.

Only a little awareness is needed to make LV patients able in the society, the speakers said.

The workshop titled 'Motivation, Awareness Building and Service Delivery in Low Vision' was organised by Islamia Eye Hospital (IEH) and Ispahani Institute of Ophthalmology with the help of Sight Saver International, Bangladesh at the IEH auditorium in the city.

Prof MA Matin MP was the chief guest at the programme chaired by Prof Khan MA Manzur, director general of the IEH.

Prof Matin said there are four LV centres at Islamia Eye Hospital, National Institute of Ophthalmology, Chittagong Eye Inflammatory and Sirajganj BNSB Eye Hospital, but very few of LV patients go there.

"It is a matter of piety that most of the ophthalmologists have little knowledge about LV problems, and that's why the LV patients are deprived of necessary treatment," he said, adding, "We have to create awareness among the professionals as well as the patients."

Bangladesh Ophthalmologists Society President Prof Hadi Faquir said it is the high time to take steps for LV patients.

"We have to take initiative to make those disabled people able in the society," he added.

Prof Hadi suggested inclusion of 'Low Vision' as a course of Ophthalmology so that an ophthalmologist can learn about LV deeply and refer LV patients to LV centres.

Presenting a paper on 'Update of Low Vision', Dr Sayedul Haque defined LV as "A partial loss of sight. It exists when functional vision cannot be adequately corrected with eyeglasses, contact lenses, medications or surgery. Low vision services do not cure the cause of low vision but rather utilise the remaining vision to its fullest potential."

He said four LV centres are capable of providing guidance to LV patients on how to walk and work without the help of other persons.

Dr Mastura Khatun in her paper titled ' Types of Low Vision Patient and Management in IEH' and Kazi Kamal Uddin in his paper titled 'Advantages and Disadvantages of Low Vision Devices' discussed the facilities provided by the low vision centre of IEH and the latest low vision devices.

Chairman of BSMMU Ophthalmology Prof Salehuddin, Chief Consultant of Birdem Prof Saidur Rahman, and IEH Advisor Zaheda Ispahani also spoke on the occasion.