Preventing Blindness Via Prompt Eye Care

The World Health Organisation (WHO) reports that more than 80 per cent of blindness and visual impairment is either preventable or treatable, while saving one’s sight could be as simple as getting an eye test.

The report goes on to state that regrettably one person in the world becomes blind every five seconds, while a child becomes blind every minute.

In line with the report, Prof Abdulraheem Mahmoud, an ophthalmologist, argues that 75 per cent of Nigerians, who are currently blind, ought not to have gone blind.

“A common factor among most Nigerians who are blind is that they are poor, while a lot of these people have gone blind because of the failure of the society to address some of the causes of blindness.

“Some of the causes include accidents due to bad roads, injuries sustained by children using inappropriate toys and communal clashes, among others,” he says.

Mahmoud, however, insists that 75 per cent of the 37 million persons who are blind worldwide could have their sight restored.

“In Kwara State, our research survey of blindness and ocular motility revealed a prevalence of blindness of 75 percent with cataract, glaucoma and river blindness as the three major causes,” he says.

The professor identifies cataract as a major cause of blindness, saying that it is responsible for over half of the cases of blindness in Nigeria.

He describes the development as “tragic’’ because cataract is treatable eye condition.

As a way out, Mahmoud wants government at all levels to devote adequate resources to the health sector, so as to equip hospitals and train medical personnel.

He also urges the government to initiate cost-effective health intervention programmes such as a nationwide mobile cataract surgery programme.

Mahmoud equally feels that trained ophthalmologists should periodically visit district and rural hospitals with adequate instruments and other logistics to conduct eye tests and surgeries.

He says that such intervention programmes will aid efforts to prevent blindness in the country, adding that this will consequently promote the citizens’ wellbeing.

The consultant, however, notes that the use of traditional medicine to treat eye problems has been very counterproductive; as it tends to create grave complications.

Mahmoud insists that most of the traditional medication and concoctions used to treat cataract are unhygienic and could even be injurious to the eyes.

He says that couching, a traditional method of treatment, involves the use of a sharp instrument to dislocate the cataract lens and push it back into the posterior chamber of the eye.

“During couching, rupture and inflammation may occur and this could result in total blindness.

“I advise people to always seek professional hands in the treatment of their eyes; a checkup takes only 30 minutes,” he says

However, Dr Kunle Ajayi, the Group Medical Director, Catholic Eye Hospitals in Ibadan, says that not less than 500,000 Nigerians, in urgent need of cataract operation, continue to suffer because of the dearth of specialists.

He claims that his hospitals, located in Oyo and Ogun states, are only able to perform about 2,000 cataract operations every year.

“We have the capacity to do more if we have more trained manpower,” he adds.

Ajayi reiterates that a major challenge facing eye health care delivery in Nigeria is the shortage of ophthalmologists.

Sharing similar sentiments, Dr Igbo Okafor, an optometrist, says that there are only 2,677 registered optometrists in Nigeria, adding that the figure is not enough for the country’s large population.

He argues that one specialist cannot properly cater for the eye care needs of thousands of citizens.

An ophthalmologist, Dr Francisca Ekwuribe, defines cataract as the gradual decline in vision clarity due to the obstruction of the clear lens inside the eye.

“Cataract blocks and distort light passing through the lens and impedes vision,” she says.

Ekwuribe explains that the major symptoms include difficulties in seeing at night and blurry vision.

“Cataract can develop in both eyes if not detected early, even though it is not contagious or painful.

“Although only the doctor can confirm a cataract diagnosis, the patient will be the first person to notice changes in vision.

“In the early stage of cataract, vision can be improved via eye glass prescription or by increasing lighting.

“However, in advanced cases, the only effective intervention is surgery,” she says.

Ekwuribe says that cataract mostly occurs in persons over the age of 40, adding, however, that in some rare cases, it could affect children at birth or in early childhood due to hereditary enzyme defects.

She says that other factors that could lead to the early development of cataract include smoking, diabetes, trauma, metabolic diseases and the side effects of certain drugs.

The ophthalmologist, nonetheless, advises Nigerians to undergo regular eye checks so as to detect eye ailments on time before complications crop up.

Ekwuribe stresses that the advent of the computer has added a new dimension to eye problems, adding that computer-induced eye problems could be severe in Nigeria because of its tropical weather.

Besides, Dr Stephen Ume, an ophthalmologist, says that continued exposure of the eyes to the sun could severely damage the eyes.

He says that Ultraviolet radiation (UV rays) from sunlight or indoor artificial rays could damage the eyes, causing cataract or cancer in the process.

“A lot of people who live in hot environments like Nigeria usually have very red eyes and sometimes, water comes out from their due to sun damage.

“I recommend that people should wear sun glasses when they go out during sunny days; I recommend this even for people who do not need prescription glasses,” he says.

Nevertheless, Ume explains that not all sun glasses have the capacity to block UV rays, saying: “People should not just assume that their eyes are safe because their sunglasses are expensive.”

He also says that it is quite erroneous for people to think that their eyes are healthy just because they can see clearly.

Ume, nonetheless, underscores the need for the people to take issues regarding their eye care seriously, adding once the eyes are impaired; a person’s capability to do several things is consequently hindered.

“A healthy lifestyle also goes a long way in protecting a person’s sight,” he adds.

Ume recommends the eating of fruits and vegetables that have high levels of antioxidants and Vitamins A, B and C, adding that fruits and vegetables include carrots, oranges, berries and banana.

He particularly warns the people against any tendency to ignore any swelling, discomfort or discoloration in their eyes.

In all, the experts emphasise the need for people to go for regular eye checkups because a healthy looking eye could have an undetected blinding eye disease.

Okeniyi writes for News Agency of Nigeria

Olayemi Okeniyi