Chioma Umeha
To mark this year’s World Glaucoma Week, the
Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), has tasked Nigerians from age 40 and above
to go for regular eye screening at least once a year as part of strategies to
prevent glaucoma disease.
According to a statement issued weekend and signed
by Dr Biyi Kufo, Chairman, Committee on Eye Health, the disease has become a
public health concern.
Noting that cases of glaucoma are on the rise in
the country, Kufo said regular screening of the eyes by a qualified
ophthalmologist once a year would help people with the disease access treatment
early and prevent blindness.
He said surgery has been found to be more effective
in the treatment of glaucoma than medical management alone.
Kufo added that glaucoma remains a leading cause
of blindness worldwide and in Nigeria, with a national prevalence of blindness
of 4.2 percent; glaucoma contributes 16.7 percent of that figure.
Decrying poor management of the disease Kufo said
more awareness on glaucoma is needed.
“Glaucoma consists of a group of diseases that
affect the optic nerve which connects the eye to the area of the brain
responsible for the sensation of sight, and glaucoma if untreated, results in
loss of optic nerve function, and irreversible blindness.
“Most often, when we talk about glaucoma, we are
referring to its most common form, primary open-angle glaucoma, which is also
sometimes called chronic open angle glaucoma. It is referred to as open angle
because in this condition, the angle between the transparent cornea in front of
the eye and the iris, which is usually seen as dark brown inside the eye
remains open.
“In most cases glaucoma does not present with any
symptoms, until the late stages of the disease, meaning that people who have
the disease often do not know until it is advanced and the vision is seriously
affected. They usually then experience cloudiness which gradually worsens
vision deteriorates,” he explained.
“When an ophthalmologist examines patients with
glaucoma, the signs of glaucoma can be seen. When glaucoma is suspect, there
are a number of tests that can be done to establish the diagnosis.
