Anokwuru Uche Alexis|15 March 2018
Glaucoma is a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve and can result in vision loss and blindness. However, with early detection and treatment, you can often protect your eyes against serious vision loss. This is why around the world this week will be dedicated to creating awareness for everybody to know how important it is to have their eyes tested regularly.
The theme for this year's celebration is Beat Invisible Glaucoma (BIG), and it is in line with this that the Cross River State Government is calling on residents of the State to visit the nearest eye center closest to them to get their eyes properly screened.
With over 36,000 beneficiaries so far across the State through the free diagnosis, treatment and surgery, the Cross River State Government is calling on residents of the State to come out and get screened.
The State is also set for another round of free surgery on Thursday, 15th of March 2018 at the Vision Center in the General Hospital, Calabar.
'Glaucoma is a condition that causes damage to your eye's optic nerve and gets worse over time. Early detection is key to slowing progression of Glaucoma, and regular eye tests are the only way to detect ‘symptomless’ glaucoma early. At a late stage Glaucoma is irreversible and results in sight loss and ultimate blindness.
People above 60 years are mostly affected, while for some it begins from 40 years, especially for us Africans. Which is why we are advocating for people of all ages to visit the nearest eyecare center to get their eyes properly screened this week, especially this week in commemoration of the world Glaucoma Week which holds between 11th and 18th of March every year.
Our Eyecare facility in the State for both adults and children offers Pachymetry, Tonometry Dilated Eye-exam, Visual fold test and Visual Acuity test, which are the major screening tests to detect Glaucoma.' -Dr. Inyang Asibong, Commissioner for Health.
Till date there are no known cure for Glaucoma but if detected on time it can be properly managed. Glaucoma can be treated with eye drops, pills, laser surgery, traditional surgery or a combination of these methods. The goal of any treatment is to prevent loss of vision, as vision loss from glaucoma is irreversible.
Anokwuru Uche Alexis
Writes from Calabar