Glaucoma common cause of blindness- – Dr Bakale 

An eye health related diseases specialist, Dr Ibrahim Yusuf Bakale of the Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital, Sokoto,  says Glaucoma is common leading cause of irreversible blindness affecting most visually impaired patients, explaining that routine check and early detection can save the eyes from the eye silent killer called glaucoma” , he pointed out.

Accordingly, Bakale said 8 out of every 100 aged 40 and above have glaucoma.

” One needs to embrace the practice of routine check to enable early detection of his or her eyes health status “, he said

Dr Bakale said in Sokoto on Friday during a health talk at a free eye clinic screening exercise conducted for journalists in the  state.

The exercise was organised by the NUJ  Sokoto state council in collaboration with UDUTH to commemorate the World Glaucoma Day week led by Mustapha Bature of UDUTH, Sokoto.

He said research had shown that the statistics were mostly driven by negligence and ignorance on the silent eye killer disease, failure to present selves for routine checks, wrong or use of unrecommended medication among other factors were responsible for glaucoma.

According Dr Bakale” only early detection and routine checks can save  individual’s vision”, he pointed out while enumerating among other diseases that were associated with or give rise to glaucoma as diabetes and hypertension.

” Sometimes, glaucoma is hereditary from the family lineage. It affects the optical cable or cells nerves.

” Because it affects the connection between the eyes and brain with 40% of the cells already damaged .”

However, Dr Bakale regretted that 50% of  patients only present selves after an eye had already gone blind while 90 % were not aware they have glaucoma and 20 % had two of the eyes totally blind.

Earlier , the Chairman, NUJ Sokoto state Council , Usman Muhammed Binji said the collaboration was to further promote better working synergy and provide members of the union avenue to check  their eye health status and guarantee their fitness and wellness as their sight was a vital, sensitive and instrumental organ that drives the profession.

” Is the most sensitive organ that connects the brains which directs the entire body to act or react to the environment which influences the mind to perform certain functions as our profession demands”, he pointed out while appealing to the team of doctors and their support staff to make the exercise a regular event not only on annual basis.

” We are ready to sustain the collaboration beyond eye issues but other health related aspects. It is said a health is wealth which we all need to give our best in the journalism

profession

“, Binji stressed as no fewer than 60 working journalists accessed the clinic, provided glasses in addition to referrals.