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By Ighomuaye Lucky, Benin
A seven-year-old girl, Falilah Lukman, is among 200 residents benefiting from a free cataract surgery programme in Edo State, as ophthalmologists warn parents against delaying treatment for children with vision problems.
The intervention, organised by Tantita & Jovason Group in partnership with the Africa Cataract & Eye Foundation and the Edo State Government, is being carried out at the Edo Specialist Hospital in Benin City and a health facility in Ologbo community, Ikpoba-Okha Local Government Area of the state.
Founder of the Africa Cataract & Eye Foundation, Dr Mejuya Okorodudu, said Falilah’s case highlights the need for parents to seek immediate medical attention when they notice signs of poor vision in their children.
Okorodudu, a renowned ophthalmologist, explained that cataracts were not restricted to older people, noting that children could be born with the condition or develop it at an early age.
He said early treatment was particularly important for children because prolonged cataracts could interfere with the development of the visual centre of the brain and potentially result in permanent visual impairment.
“Any time you hear that a child is blind, we want you to bring that child to us as soon as possible,” he said.
According to him, adults who develop cataracts later in life may regain their sight after surgery, but children who fail to receive normal visual stimulation during critical stages of development could suffer lasting damage if treatment is delayed.
He urged parents not to ignore signs of poor vision or postpone treatment because of financial constraints.
Okorodudu said the foundation’s intervention was targeted mainly at rural and riverine communities, where many indigent residents with cataract-related blindness have limited access to specialist eye care.
“Cataract blindness is the only blindness we can reverse,” he said, advising people suffering from cataracts to seek medical treatment rather than resort to traditional practices.
The ophthalmologist also dispelled the misconception that cataract surgery involves removing the eye.
He explained that the cloudy lens is removed and replaced with an artificial lens.
He said the procedure takes about 10 to 15 minutes in many cases, with patients often beginning to regain useful vision shortly afterwards.
Okorodudu disclosed that 138 cataract surgeries had already been performed at Ologbo before the latest phase of the intervention in Benin City.
He estimated the average value of the surgery and medication provided to each beneficiary at about N450,000, adding that large-scale interventions could significantly reduce the cost through economies of scale.
Also speaking, Edo State Commissioner for Health, Dr Cyril Oshiomhole, described the intervention as evidence of the state government’s commitment to making healthcare accessible to poor and vulnerable residents.
Oshiomhole said the programme was in line with the administration’s promise to prioritise healthcare for the poorest and most vulnerable members of society.
He appealed to the media to publicise the intervention to enable more residents suffering from cataracts and other eye conditions to access appropriate medical care.
The Managing Director of Edo Specialist Hospital, Dr Anthonia Njoku, commended the partners for the initiative, saying it aligns with Governor Monday Okpebholo’s vision of providing accessible healthcare for residents of the state.
