TEHRAN The Second International and 11th National Ophthalmology Conference will be held at the Razi Conference Center in Tehran from December 18-21, it was announced here Wednesday. Over 1,300 ophthalmologists will take part in the conference.

Secretary of Iran's Ophthalmologist Association, Hormoz Shams, said that facial and palpebral plastic surgery, cataract, and defective eyesight will be among the main topics of discussion in this year's conference.

Shams said, "Exposure to direct sunshine, especially in the summer causes eye diseases such as cataract."

He listed aging as the most prevalent cause of cataract and said that unsuitable nutrition, shocks, and genetic problems are among other factors contributing to cataract.

In areas of intense sunshine, such as Iran, the risk of being affected with cataract is much higher. Avoiding sunshine, using sunglasses, as well as suitable nutrition are among the ways of protecting those below 50 years against cataract, he stated.

Shams said that the latest surgical treatment of cataract would be presented at the international optical confab.