credits: thomasbond.co.uk

Today is the World Sight Day, and the focus is on the
need to demystify blindness as the scourge of
humanity. This is because blindness is regarded as one of the chronic health problems that anyone can suffer from.

While blindness may be caused by a myriad of
problems, which are sometimes preventable, the bitter truth is that when it happens, life not only changes for the victim — especially where both eyes are affected—those around him will also feel the pain, even if psychologically.

Diabetes

A Diabetologist/Medical Director of Rainbow Specialist
Medical Centre, Lekki Phase 1, Dr. Afoko - diabetes, when neglected, may result in many health complications, including vision impairment or outright blindness.

She warns that people with diabetes have a higher risk of blindness as a result of what she calls “diabetic
retinopathy.” She says, “Diabetic retinopathy is the
most common diabetic eye disease and may lead to
blindness if left untreated.”

Experts warn that approximately 80 per cent of all
patients who have had diabetes for at least 10 years
risk some degree of diabetic retinopathy.
“Diabetic retinopathy is the damage to the retina (the
light-sensitive membrane that covers the back of the
eye)


Glaucoma

Aburi says glaucoma is a term that describes a group
of eye conditions that lead to damage to the optic
nerve as a result of increasing pressure in the eye.
The eye physician explains further, “Sometimes, the
cause is unknown — as in the case of chronic
glaucoma, which tends to run in families and
painlessly and slowly damages vision.

“Another class of the disease, called acute glaucoma,
occurs when the exit of the aqueous humor fluid is
suddenly blocked. This causes a quick, severe, and
painful rise in the pressure in the eye. It is a medical
emergency that must not be ignored.”
Aburi adds that when an eye suffers acute glaucoma, it
soon affects the second eye, hence the need to act
swiftly.

“Even eye drops that dilate the eyes, and
certain medications, may trigger an acute glaucoma
attack,” Aburi warns.
Among babies, Aburi contends, congenital glaucoma
happens because it often runs in families and is
present at birth. “It is caused by abnormal eye
development,” he says.
Physicians warn that certain drugs, such as
corticosteroids, can cause secondary glaucoma.

Ditto
some eye diseases such as uveitis (swelling and
irritation of the uvea, the middle layer of the eye),
trauma, and some systemic diseases — which affect a
number of organs and tissues, or affect the body as a
whole.
“That’s why regular eye check-up is absolutely
necessary for people of all ages, and especially for
those who are ageing,” Aburi counsels.


Cataracts

Aburi says this is a condition that clouds the lens
inside the eye and leads to a decrease in vision. “It is
most commonly due to biological ageing and it is the
most common cause of blindness, though it is
absolutely treatable,” the doctor says.

“Other causes of blindness include blocked blood
vessels, complications of premature birth,
complications of eye surgery, lazy eye syndrome,
stroke, and certain types of tumors,”

Food for the eye
Nutritionists say diets rich in fruit and green, leafy
vegetables can promote eye health. Feast on them, as
there’s plenty benefits to get from them.

When some degree of blindness is curable, nothing is worse than lack of vision..

Great article.@op Are u an optometrist?

topas100: Great article.@op Are u an optometrist?

Nope. But medically inclined.

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