By Ishaya Ibrahim
Acting News Editor
An optometrist with the Florida Eye Clinic in Niger State,
Dr Chukwuemeka Anene, has advised for regular eye checks to prevent the silent vision killer, Glaucoma, which is the second leading cause of blindness after cataract.
He gave the advice, while marking this year’s World Glaucoma Week, which is observed every second week in March.
He said that there were no signs and symptoms for Glaucoma, which makes it the silent thief of sight that inflicts irreversible blindness.
Anene explained that Glaucoma has wreaked the vision of 11 million people so far, and it is still prowling for more eyes unless people get tested and treated.
“Glaucoma affects the peripheral not the central vision. So, you can have good vision and still have Glaucoma,” he said.
The optometrist listed the people at risk of suffering from Glaucoma.
1 All Black people (race).
2 Those with family history of Glaucoma
3 Adult from the age of 40
4 Diabetic and hypertensive patients
5 Those with history of eye injury and inflammation
6 History of surgery
7 Drug use
8 Refractive error.
Anene said that while Glaucoma was treatable when detected, it cannot be cured.
“It is treatable but it does not have cure. It cannot be eliminated. But it can be managed to prevent blindness,” he said.
He advised every adult from age 40 to observe yearly Glaucoma eye test as it is the best safeguard against blindness.
