Thursday, 20 September 2012

Edo Hospital Screens 1,248 Eye Patients in 3 Months

 

Amusa, who is also the Head of Optometric Unit of the hospital, told reporters in Benin that the programme was carried out in the second quarter of the year.

She said that 931 eye glasses were fixed from June to Aug. 16, adding that the free eye screening and glass programme was a continuous process.

Omoye said that more than 80 per cent of the age bracket screened could be refracted.

"More than 80 per cent of the total people we have screened need glasses to enable them to perform their visual function, while 20 per cent will need glasses, and will also need medical attention and surgery."

She stressed that some 60 years old people had major problems of visual impairment, which would not make them read and see at will.

"Most of their visual impairment is often related to age matter variation, which means they require high magnification to see at will."

The consultant optometrist attributed the visual impairment of ageing people to loss of elasticity of muscles in the eyes.

"When this muscle loses its elasticity, it cannot expand and contract, thereby leading to inability to see far and near."

Omoye said that old people with cataracts could still see up to 85 per cent with the use of glasses.

She said there were medications to slow down the ageing process of the eye lens.

She added that eye surgery was only necessary when glasses could no longer assist a patient in seeing.

Omoye advised ageing people to always take a lot of food rich in Vitamin A such as carrots, palm oil and vegetables, to keep the eyes looking bright.

She, however, appealed to the state government to provide more optometrists across the three senatorial districts, to reduce over stretching of personnel in Benin.

The government's programme, meant for 60-year-old persons and above was inaugurated by a former Head of State, Gen. Yakubu Gowon, in Benin on July 13. 

 

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