Optometrist Traces Irreversible Blindness To Glaucoma

Glaucoma is one of the major causes of irreversible blindness in humans, Dr Francesca Ekwuribe, an optometrist, has said.

Ekwuribe told newsmen in Jos that only few of the victims were aware of the disease.

“What makes this eye disease so difficult to detect is the lack of early warning signs or symptoms in most people, once a visible symptom occurs, there is already a serious damage done to the optic nerve of the eye or eyes,’’ she said.

According to her, glaucoma damages the optic nerve in the eye which is responsible for transmitting electrical impulses to the brain.

Damage usually occurs as a result of elevated pressure of the fluid in the eye also known as “intraocular pressure”.

She stated that the disease could be in form of open-angle glaucoma, angle–closure glaucoma, congenital glaucoma and secondary glaucoma, adding that open-angle glaucoma was the most common type while its cause is unknown and mostly hereditary.

“Open-angle glaucoma is not as complicated as the angle–closure glaucoma, and it has no symptoms, just a gradual loss of side vision also known as tunnel vision.

“It is painless and it slowly damages the eyes,’’ she said.

In the case of angle-closure glaucoma, it is more severe and it is caused when the exit of the aqueous–humor fluid of the eye is suddenly blocked, causing a quick rise in the eye pressure.

The optometrist stated that congenital glaucoma was mostly found in infants as a result of an abnormal development of the fluid outflow channel in the eye, while secondary glaucoma could be caused by illness such as diabetes and also by accidents.

Ekwuribe said that glaucoma could be managed through the administration of oral drugs, eye drops and in most cases, through surgery.

“Glaucoma has no cure for now, but it can be managed when it is detected in time to avert loss of vision.

“Since most people hardly show symptoms, it is wise that every one especially those over 40 years, and  those in the high risk group should have regular eye checks at least twice a year, since early detection helps in curbing blindness,” she advised.