An optometrist, Dr Chinazom Obaje, has identified regular eye checks and a healthy lifestyle as critical to preventing vision loss from glaucoma, warning that delayed diagnosis remains a major driver of irreversible blindness.
He spoke on Tuesday at the close of a free eye care outreach and distribution of medicated glasses organised by the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba, in collaboration with Gift Health Plus Inc., in Lagos.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the two-day outreach, which began on Monday at the hospital premises, offered services including eye tests, screenings, distribution of eye drops, and recommended medicated glasses.
The optometrist, who also served as a consulting doctor at the outreach, lamented the rising number of people presenting with eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataract and blurred vision.
Describing glaucoma as a leading cause of irreversible blindness, Obaje said early detection allows interventions that can slow progression and preserve sight.
According to him, although glaucoma is not curable, timely diagnosis through regular comprehensive eye tests, combined with healthy habits such as regular exercise and balanced diets, remains essential for prevention and effective management.
“Early detection through regular eye checks is key to management, reducing progression and preventing glaucoma-related blindness.
“It is advisable for everybody to go for regular eye checks so that if there are early signs in their eyes, the condition can be detected and managed promptly with anti-glaucoma medication or eye drops.
“From the test results, doctors can determine whether it is at an early, advanced or end stage,” Obaje said.
He noted that glaucoma could run in families and advised anyone with a family history of the condition or other risk factors to undergo screening every one to two years after age 35.
Obaje added that people living with diabetes and hypertension should ensure their conditions are well controlled, as both are known risk factors.
He also stressed the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and eating nutrient-rich foods.
According to him, people should eat more fruits and vegetables, especially carrots, because they help nourish the optic nerves, fight free radicals and reduce oxidative stress in the eyes.
“Being on a good diet is another way to ensure the retina and blood vessels remain healthy and to reduce stress in the eye.
“For someone who does not have any eye problem or family history of glaucoma, it is advisable to see an eye doctor once every year for examination.
“For those living with glaucoma, eye checks two to three times a year are necessary, alongside keeping appointments with the eye doctor.
“Elderly people aged 50 and above should have the back of their eyes examined at least twice a year because age-related macular degeneration may occur from that age.
“Similarly, those who use glasses should, at a minimum, visit a doctor every two years to review whether the lenses are still suitable.
“Computer users, too, should reduce their screen time to avoid computer vision syndrome,” he said.
Also speaking, the Executive Director of Gift Health Plus Inc., Dr Chamberlain Nwanne, said the organisation focuses on vulnerable populations, ensuring they have access to essential healthcare and life-enhancing services.
Nwanne said the outreaches, held at least every six weeks in Nigeria, had impacted prison inmates, rural pregnant women, schoolchildren and other vulnerable groups.
He explained that the medical materials used for the outreaches are often imported from the United States, where the initiative originated, noting that import costs and duties remain major challenges.
He therefore urged the Federal Government to support credible non-governmental organisations and make their operations easier.
“In the last 10 years, from our records, we have directly impacted between 27,000 and 28,000 patients.
“Either we give them glasses, medicines, school supplies, or other life-enhancing support.
“The cost of importing the medical materials we use for the outreaches is a big challenge.
“It may not be about completely waiving import duties, but if the government can reduce some of the charges, it will go a long way,” Nwanne said.
A beneficiary, Mrs Anofi Bolanle, urged the government to intensify efforts to ensure vulnerable Nigerians have access to healthcare at little or no cost.
She appealed for more outreach programmes that would allow low-income patients to access cataract and glaucoma surgeries at subsidised rates.
“Many people, including myself, are losing their vision to cataract and glaucoma because they cannot afford the hospital bills for surgery.
“The last time I went to the hospital, they said I should pay N500,000 for my cataract operation.
“Where do I have such a huge amount of money?” Bolanle asked.
(NAN)
