NAN-HG-16
Health
By Maureen Ojinaka-Nwanosike
Enugu, Nov. 30, 2016 (NAN) A consultant ophthalmologist, Dr Nkiru Akaliwe, has urged Nigerians to always go for regular check-up for early glaucoma detection and management.
Akaliwe told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Enugu on Wednesday that glaucoma was a group of eye diseases that caused progressive damage of the optic nerve.
The Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT) Teaching Hospital consultant said that most types of glaucoma progressed without warning or obvious symptoms to the patient, making it expedient for the patient to engage in regular check-up.
“The increased pressure called intraocular pressure can damage the optic nerve which transmits images to the brain and if the damage continues, glaucoma will set in and can lead to permanent vision loss,’’ she said.
Akaliwe warned the people to desist from buying eye glasses from road sides as this could lead to more problems in the eye.
The ophthalmologist encouraged everyone, both young and old, to always have a balanced diet rich in vegetables and fruits for sound vision.
“Blindness is prevalent because members of the public lack adequate sensitisation to what the care for the eyes ought to be,’’ she said.
She said that due to silent progression of glaucoma, most of those affected in the developing countries were not aware of the disease, thereby allowing themselves to gradually go blind. (NAN)
OJI/MVO
(Edited by Mbadiwe Okwor)