In this segment, Dr. Okpare Collins Akpobome, Clinical Optometrist talked about key facts to preventing avoidable blindness in Nigeria.
According to the “World Report on Vision” by the World Health Organization (WHO), about one billion of the approximately 2.2 billion cases of visual impairment or blindness are preventable.
Individuals still experience visual impairment because of the financial strain they would face for seeking medical help in sight-related issues.
However, Nigeria has improved access to eye care. Considering there are about 4.25 million people over the age of 40 with vision impairment, the topic of eyesight in Nigeria is pertinent.
According to Dr. Okpare the first way to prevent avoidable blindness is to get this cultural shift from self medication.
”A lot of people actually do not consider eye-drop to be medication. but there are medications. There can be toxic, there can be harmful, there can life threatening, there can be sight threatening etc
“The over independence on self medication is one key thing to look at and try to stop.
“Africans need to do away with ‘Not my portion syndrome’, you cant peach God against medicine when there can both coexist mutually.
“It doesn’t have to be a case of this or that. Get your medications and still pray.”
Smoking is as bad for your eyes as it is for the rest of your body. Research has linked smoking to an increased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration, cataract, and optic nerve damage, all of which can lead to blindness. Be cool and wear your shades.
See the video below for more!
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