Expert Charges Journalists On Annual Eye Test

Journalists have been advised to undergo eye test at least once in a year.

A community service provider, Alhaji Azeez Amuda (a.k.a Baba Oloju) who gave the advice said that the eyes should be well taken care of and examined regularly.

Amuda spoke during a health talk programme organised to kick- start the 2024 Press Week of the Correspondents Chapel of the Kwara State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists in Ilorin, the state capital.

He warned people against visiting quacks and small chemists for eye treatment.

“There are several cases of people who listen to hearsay on how to care for their eyes but end up losing both their eyes. Just like conjunctivitis in newborns, in which babies bring out discharge in their eyes and mothers are advised to insert breast milk to clear the eyes, which can lead to complete blindness,” he said.

The expert therefore advised people to always visit hospitals and eyes expert before taking any step in treating their eye problems and getting eye glasses.

He added that high blood pressure could add to the eye problems, saying that there was a need to monitor patients’ blood pressure while treating their eye problems.

Amuda stressed the need for the eyes to be checked at least annually, saying that glaucoma is a very serious issue that does not give a signal and could lead to cataract and eventually blindness.

He advised that the eyes should be given some rest every one hour by closing it for a few minutes before continuing with viewing things.

The expert also talked about monitoring diet in order to have good vision, listing mango fruit, palm oil, dry fish, and other things that contain protein and calcium, which are good for vision.

He however said that immunisation should be given to children from birth to the age of five years, saying that if children are attacked with measles, it might lead to blindness, adding that Vitamin A is also important.

Amuda also talked about personal hygiene, especially at home, urging mothers to be neat, tidy, and very observant of children, especially babies and toddlers.