Breast Milk, Morning Urine Not Remedy For Eye Disease, Expert Warns

Medical experts have warned parents and guardians to stop applying breast milk, early morning urine and other traditional substances to treat eye infections. Such practices, they noted, continue to cause avoidable cases of permanent blindness. The warning was issued during the 2025 medical and surgical outreach organised by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), University […]

Medical experts have warned parents and guardians to stop applying breast milk, early morning urine and other traditional substances to treat eye infections.

Such practices, they noted, continue to cause avoidable cases of permanent blindness.

The warning was issued during the 2025 medical and surgical outreach organised by the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD), University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH).

The programme, held at the Primary Health Care Centre in Ajase Ipo, Kwara State, was in partnership with the Muritala Awodun Initiative for Community Development.

An ophthalmologist, Dr Aboyeji Abimbola, stressed that cataract and glaucoma remain serious eye diseases affecting many Nigerians and urged parents to always seek hospital care.

She warned that “applying breast milk, camphor, early morning urine or using medications meant for another person” is dangerous and may result in irreversible damage.

According to her, cataract is treatable through timely surgery, with many patients regaining sight the following day.

She noted that glaucoma, on the other hand, is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, especially among those with age related issues or a family history of the disease.

She emphasised that early detection is vital and once vision is lost to glaucoma, it cannot be restored.

She advised farmers to use protective glasses while working on the farm and encouraged adults above forty years to use reading glasses when struggling with small print.

A resident doctor at UITH, Dr Abegunde Oluwashayo, for her part, said the outreach formed part of activities marking the association’s annual general meeting.

She explained that participants were screened for high blood pressure, blood sugar and various eye conditions, while free consultations and medications were provided.

“Fifteen people have been slated for free cataract surgeries, while patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension will continue to receive medication at no cost.

“Also, fifty (50) eyeglasses were reserved for distribution and arrangements had been made to link patients whose cases required additional attention to relevant medical facilities”, she stated.

Abegunde described the turnout as impressive and said the intervention was designed to ensure that no resident was left unattended.

Another expert, Dr Ameen Abdullahi, urged parents to end the culture of self treatment, particularly during emergencies.

He said many households still mishandle conditions such as convulsions and jaundice, sometimes leading to tragic outcomes.

He noted that forcing objects into the mouth of a convulsing child or attributing jaundice to spiritual causes often delays life saving treatment.

President of the ARD, Dr Awodun Monsur Olalekan, who is also a member of the Awodun Muritala Vanguard for Community Development, said the outreach was part of efforts to give back to the community that contributed to their training.

He said the programme, which is held annually on November twenty fourth, was sponsored this year by the Vanguard and drew a turnout far beyond expectations.

He said a health talk preceded the exercise to educate residents on disease prevention and that cases requiring specialised care were referred to appropriate hospitals.

With the ongoing strike at UITH, he explained that fifteen indigent patients would undergo free cataract surgeries at a private hospital immediately after the outreach.

According to him, the drugs available on site would cater for more than seven hundred participants.

Dr Awodun described the turnout as a motivation to expand the outreach to more local government areas in Kwara South and called on well meaning individuals to support similar interventions.

He said community driven efforts remain key to addressing health challenges faced by many vulnerable households.

A participant, Mr Jamiu Bashirun Olaitan, expressed gratitude to Dr Muritala Awodun and the organisers, saying residents were tested, treated and given medication free of charge. He called on others to emulate the gesture for the benefit of the wider community.

Several participants were treated for eye conditions, convulsions, jaundice and other ailments, while many others were referred for further management.