Experts warns of increasing cases of glaucoma...SEE PHOTO

Consultant ophthalmologists who spoke at this year's Glaucoma Day,
held at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu,
Ogun State, decried the low awareness about the disease, arguing that
that was why cases of glaucoma were on the increase.
They called on governments at all levels to sensitise the public to
the danger it poses to humanity.
The physicians argued that this became necessary because glaucoma
accounted for the largest number of blindness in Nigeria.
A consultant ophthalmologist at the OOUTH, Dr. Oluwatosin Onabolu,
said the disease accounted for about 40 per cent cases of blindness in
the country, stressing that the level of awareness about it was
disappointing.
His colleague in the same institution, Dr. Moruff Ajibode, maintained
that the disease accounted for 20 per cent of the total blindness in
Nigeria among people of age bracket 40 years up.
He said, "The disease is prevalent among the people of this age
bracket due to the lack of awareness about its prevention and
treatment."
The physicians also urged faith-based organisations to urge their
members to undergo screening so that it could be detected when
treatment is likely to be effective.
They also recommended effective funding and equipping of the hospitals
with modern equipment for the treatment of the disease.
They canvassed the inclusion of awareness about glaucoma in school
curriculum in order to curtail its spread.
The Chief Medical Director, OOUTH, Dr. Alfred Jayesimi, said glaucoma
should be tackled before it becomes national scourge.
Firstclassnewsline.net

Credits: punch