By Asmau Ahmad
An Ophthalmologist at the Central Hospital, Auchi, Edo state, Dr. Lateef Abu, has advised Nigerians to go for regular eye tests, to prevent glaucoma and other eye defects. Abu gave the advice on Monday in an interview with news men.
He stated this during a medical screening for patients with diabetes, hypertension, HIV, as well as eye problems.
Newsmen report that the free medical care was organised under the sponsorship of Mr Yakubu Musa, founder of the Yakson Initiative Organisation, in conjunction with Shifaah Foundation.
Dr. Abu explained that glaucoma was a group of eye diseases that cause progressive damage to the optic nerve, at the point where it leaves the eye to carry visual information to the brain.
He said that most types of glaucoma progressed without warning or obvious symptoms to the patient.
“Glaucoma is an eye condition that develops when too much fluid pressure builds up inside the eye. Eye screening is very important for early detection of glaucoma. The disease cannot be prevented, but if it is diagnosed and treated early, it can be controlled,” he said.
The medical practitioner explained that the increased pressure which is also called Intraocular Pressure (IOP) could damage the optic nerve which transmits images to the brain.
He added that if the eye pressure continued due to the damage to the optic nerve, overtime, glaucoma could cause loss of vision, stressing that the loss of vision could not be reversed.
He said the age incidence of glaucoma was higher from the age of 40 and above.
The eye consultant said that glaucoma usually occurred in both eyes but that it could affect each eye to a different extent.
He said glaucoma had no early symptoms or pain from increased pressure, noting that prevention was very important through regular eye screening.
Abu said the disease could be diagnosed and managed before long-term visual loss, adding that in cases that were beyond the normal rage, medication could be administered to manage the condition.
He, however, urged the public to take a preventive measure by engaging in regular eye screening, as early diagnosis of helped in managing the condition.
