National Association of Seadogs (NAS), Pyrates Confraternity, has sensitised Sabo community of Kaduna State on the dangers of glaucoma and also distributed over 800 glasses to beneficiaries.
The president of NAS, Kaduna State chapter, the Capoon of Aurora Flotilla Deck, Dr Okpara Obinna, at the awareness exercise yesterday in Kaduna, said their aim was to kick out glaucoma and also to increase the awareness on early detection.
According to him, Nigerians are ignorant of glaucoma especially those in volatile communities and this disease if not detected early leads to irreversible blindness.
“Our association in the Kaduna chapter took it upon themselves to give free consultation and also administer drugs and lenses within Sabo community.
It is part of our activities in serving humanity. Our target is to screen over 1,200 people,” he said.
He said the association in collaboration with Eko Atlantic Rotary Club and an Indian firm had concluded plans to carry out surgeries for persons with severe eye problems.
“The Kaduna State chapter of National Association of Seadogs and the Eko Atlantic Rotary Club with a hospital in India, Qitmeer Foundation, we would be able to do surgery in the National Hospital here in Kaduna. We also have consultants from the National Hospital Kaduna. They came for free of charge because it’s something worth doing. They want to join and partner with us,” he said.
He therefore called on the beneficiaries who met with the consultants to take the advice on how to take care of their eyes seriously, and get across to the hospital for early detection of glaucoma.
Dr Nnamdi Eneh, an ophthalmologist with National Eye Centre Kaduna, described glaucoma as one of the leading causes of blindness in the world.
Eneh said, “One can have glaucoma without knowing it until the disease becomes severe and most times it leads to blindness. The main thing for us is that we must detect it on time because once there is early detection then the treatment can be administered on time so that blindness can be prevented.
“There are two disease conditions that cause blindness, cataract and glaucoma, but the difference is that glaucoma causes irreversible blindness and that is why it is called the ‘silent thief of sight. We are checking their visual acuity which tells how the person can see. We have glasses for them.”
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