Doris Obinna
An Ophthalmology and Chairman, Nigerian Medical Association Committee on Eye Health, Dr. Biyi Kufo, has given insight into the causes and effects of glaucoma, saying it was a leading cause of blindness worldwide.
According to him, glaucoma, which consists of a group of diseases with common characteristics that mainly affect the optic nerve, has become a problem because of ignorance by affected people.
Explaining things pertaining to glaucoma, he said: “Glaucoma if untreated, results in loss of optic nerve function and irreversible blindness.”
He said glaucoma, in most cases, does not present symptoms, until the late stages of the disease.
This, according to him, means people who have the disease often do not know until it is advanced and the vision is seriously affected.
He said such people usually experience cloudiness, which gradually worsens as vision deteriorates.
He said: “When the ophthalmologist examines patients with glaucoma, the signs of glaucoma can be seen. When there is doubt, i.e. when the ophthalmologist deems the person a suspect, there are a number of tests that can be done to establish the diagnosis.
“There are a number of factors, which increase the possibility that a person may develop glaucoma: a high intraocular pressure is the most serious factor; it is more common, and often more aggressive in the black race; there is a greater chance of developing it if a person in your family has it; increasing age is also a factor. Also, some diseases, such as high blood pressure, increase the possibility of developing it.”
On why glaucoma is become rampant, he said: “Awareness of glaucoma in Nigeria is poor. The disease often presents late, and early detection will require screening programmes, which can be very expensive.
“It is advisable that everyone from the age of 40 years (younger if there is a family history) should have their eyes checked by an ophthalmologist once a year. In this way, people with the disease can be detected, and treatment, to prevent blindness. Treatment may include surgery, which has been found to be more effective than medical management alone.”