By Chidinma Ewunonu-Aluko
Opthalmologists have said that glaucoma-caused blindness can be prevented by early detection (through screening) and application of appropriate treatments.
They made this known in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Ibadan.
Dr Tarela Sarimiye, Consultant Ophthalmologist at the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, said that regular eye check-up would help in early detection of glaucoma.
Sarimiye advised people above 35 years of age to have glaucoma screening at least once in a year.
He said that someone with a family history of glaucoma should start the screening at a younger age.
The consultant described glaucoma as a group of eye diseases with a common pathway, which if undiagnosed/untreated, would usually cause irreversible blindness.
According to him, glaucoma, though a cause of permanent blindness, could be treated through medications or surgeries.
He highlighted some factors that could put people at a higher risk of developing primary glaucoma to include high eye pressure, old age and family history.
According to him, few glaucoma issues are referred to as secondary glaucoma.
“In this group of glaucoma, the cause is known; so, prevention may be achieved in some instances.
“Example is steroid-induced glaucoma; that is, glaucoma due to steroid use, most times prolonged usage, such as prolonged use of bleaching creams that contain steroid.”
He also said that purchase and use of eyedrops containing steroid, from chemist/drug stores without prescription, could cause steroid-induced glaucoma.
Sarimiye said there was the need for governments to make glaucoma treatment a priority.
He emphasised that primary eye care, with glaucoma screening as a key component, should be included in primary healthcare programmes in Nigeria.
He also called for import duty waivers on all medical drugs/medical raw materials and consumables, including those for glaucoma.
“Currently, there are some glaucoma eye drops that cost more than N30,000 per one, and which may last only a month.
“Incidentally, some glaucoma patients may be required to use those drops for more than one year,” he said.
The consultant also said that the number of glaucoma specialists in the country were inadequate, adding that some states in Nigeria didn’t have a glaucoma specialist.
“Investment in training of more medical practitioners and creating the enabling environment to keep majority of them should be a priority of the government.
“Also, hospitals with modern infrastructure and equipment are needed,” Sarimiye said.
A Comprehensive Ophthalmologist, Dr Benedictus Ajayi, described glaucoma as a silent cause of irreversible blindness.
Ajayi, the Chief Executive Officer of Eleta Eye Institute, Ibadan, said it was necessary to go for glaucoma screening.
” It should be once a year for people over 40 years and once in two years for those below 40.
“There should be targeted screening for high risk patients – diabetic and hypertensive patients and those with family history of glaucoma,” he said.
According to Ajayi,also frequent comprehensive routine eye examination for the early signs could be recognised only by a competent eye doctor such as the Ophthalmologist.
He urged regular exercise, control of high blood pressure and life style changes to reduce the risk of glaucoma.
“Glaucoma strikes without any pain or discomfort, and you’re perfectly at peace with yourself until the damage is extensive.
“It’s very difficult to make a diagnosis of glaucoma in the early stages because there are no signs or symptoms, patient continues to see very well until later stages.
“There is also need for public awareness for the ‘poor poor’ who have no money and easy access to eye care and the ‘rich poor’ who have the money and can have easy access to eye care but have no time to spare,” Ajayi said. (NAN)
