Regular eye examination, treatment, vital for preventing blindness from glaucoma -Opthalmologist

By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko

An Opthalmologist at Eleta Eye Institute, Ibadan, Prof. Affiong Ibanga, has urged Nigerians to always do regular eye examination for early detection of Glaucoma.

She also stressed on appropriate treatment to prevent blindness that could result from the disease.

Ibanga made the remarks on Thursday while delivering a lecture during a Glaucoma awareness seminar organised by Eleta Eye Institute, Ibadan.

The professor of Glaucoma Care and Research at the Eleta Institute spoke on the topic “Unlocking the mysteries of Glaucoma – all you need to know”.

She urged people to make it a habit to visit the eye doctor and have their eyes checked yearly.

The professor said that early eye screening and treatment would prevent the eye from deteriorating.

She emphasised that glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, adding that screening for glaucoma is important for early detection and treatment.

According to her, glaucoma is a group of diseases that can cause damage to the optic nerve and the inability of the fluid produced in the front of the eye to drain normally.

She noted that it was possible for one to have glaucoma and not know until it was too late, while compliance with care could help prevent blindness in people with glaucoma.

The opthalmologist also noted that glaucoma symptoms include blurry vision, poor night vision, bumping into objects, among others.

“One thing about glaucoma is that it has no cure, we have to diagnose it early and manage it appropriately because the blindness caused by it is irreversible.

“It can be managed through the use of eye drops, tablets and surgery can be done too.

“To prevent vision loss, there is also need to control systematic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, use protective eyewear, eat plenty of leafy vegetables and coloured fruits,” she said.

The chairman of Eleta Eye Foundation, Dr Gboyega Ajayi, remarked that glaucoma is a condition that could destroy the eye without the person knowing it.

“If a person comes to the clinic complaining of poor vision, if it’s not other eye diseases, glaucoma is likely the case.

“Early detection of it is very important, we are creating awareness for glaucoma to prevent blindness from Glaucoma because blindness from it is irreversible.

"We invited our patients to interact with them so that they can ask questions on issues bothering them, our aim is to reduce the burden caused by this terrible eye disease,” he said.

One of the Glaucoma patients who preferred to be anonymous thanked the Eye Institute for helping him to manage the situation.

He urged people to always visit eye doctors for proper examination.

“If I visited an eye doctor earlier, one of my eyes might not have gone, so early detection of it and following the adequate management such as they give at the institute will surely help,” he said. (NAN)