… Says Early Detection Prevents Blindness
A Consultant Ophthalmologist with the General Hospital, Ijede, Dr. (Mrs) Funmi Mayaki has described Glaucoma as a chronic, progressive, irreversible optic neuropathy or eye disease that affects the optic nerve due to the death of retina ganglion cells with a characteristic copping optic nerve head.
Dr. Mayaki stated this at an event organised by the facility as part of activities to mark the 2022 World Glaucoma Week, maintaining that early detection, regular eye check and use of medication can help prevent blindness from glaucoma.
Speaking further, the Consultant Ophthalmologist informed that glaucoma is multi-factorial, noting that some of the predisposing risk factors include high intraocular pressure, family history of glaucoma, race, oxidative stress and trauma to the eye, among others.
While stating that other causes of glaucoma are the use of steroids, diabetes, certain conditions of the eyes and old age, Dr. Mayaki affirmed that once blindness occurs through glaucoma, vision cannot be restored.
She spoke further saying, “We also have open-angle and angle-closure glaucoma. There are also congenital glaucoma, developmental glaucoma and juvenile glaucoma based on the age of presentation”.
Dr. Mayaki said research has revealed that glaucoma is the most common cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and that one in 20 people aged 40 years and above have glaucoma, stressing, however, that 19 in 20 people are not aware they have glaucoma.
Declaring that many people are ignorant of whom to see when they have eye conditions, the Ophthalmologist implored Lagosians to seek the right practitioners and professionals when they need to treat their eyes in order to prevent any delay in diagnoses.
Dr. Mayaki, therefore, appealed to all Lagos residents, particularly those above the age of 40 years, to go for a regular eye check at least once a year while those that have been diagnosed with glaucoma should have their eyes checked frequently.
