Experts advocate regular check up to stem Glaucoma prevalence

As part of the celebration of World Glaucoma Week taking place between March 11 to 17, 2018, Me Cure Eye Centre, an arm of Me Cure Health Care Limited in Lagos has kicked off a two-day free Glaucoma screening programme. The gesture is in response to what the centre called alarming prevalence rate of Glaucoma […]

As part of the celebration of World Glaucoma Week taking place between March 11 to 17, 2018, Me Cure Eye Centre, an arm of Me Cure Health Care Limited in Lagos has kicked off a two-day free Glaucoma screening programme.

The gesture is in response to what the centre called alarming prevalence rate of Glaucoma which is said to be the number two cause of blindness world-wide after cataract.

A Consultant Ophtalmologist and Chief Operating Officer of the eye centre, Dr. Adegboyega Alabi declared that blindness from glaucoma is irreversible, saying the key thing is to detect it early.

According to him, the most common risk factor is heredity, adding that anyone with a family history especially the first degree relative has a high risk of contracting glaucoma.

Besides, people of African descent have higher risk of having the disease, he explained, advising individuals to get their eyes checked regularly.

He therefore advocated that glaucoma should be declared an emergency health situation, adding that government should subsidize treatment of the disease.

Alabi said the free screening taking place from morning to evening every day is the centre’s way of contributing to reducing cases of glaucoma, saying as many people as possible that turn up for the screening would be attended to.

“Many people cannot afford the treatment because the drugs are expensive. You need N7,000 to N10,000 monthly to treat glaucoma. It is an irreversible disease once you have it but the important thing is management and treatment and follow-up for life”, he added.

Also speaking, an Optometrist and Community Outreach Coordinator of the eye centre, Dr. Martin Nwabuzor said besides the free health screening, the centre as part of its corporate social responsibility engages in regular outreach to communities in Lagos to carry out regular test and referral for members of the community.

He said many communities in Lagos have benefited from the outreach programmes of the centre which has helped in raising their consciousness about their health and wellness.