IF nothing is done medically and urgently too, chances are that one-tenth of citizens are likely to be afflicted with blindness just in a few years. The revelation came from the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Benjamin Kalu, while speaking at a health forum in Abuja. He pleaded that urgent steps be taken to avert the impending ocular disaster.
He gave the number of the potential victims as 24million citizens. This is about one-tenth or 10 percent of the nation’s population of about 230million, plus or minus. This means that out of every 10 Nigerians, perhaps excluding those in diaspora, one is likely to lose his or her sight within the time frame to the looming danger.
The revelation by the Deputy Speaker is indeed a cause for serious concern across the country as blindness is not a respecter of ethnicity, religion or gender. However, the far Northern states should be more worried because that is the region where blindness is more prevalent. Currently, the North Western geopolitical zone is said to present 28.60 percent of all those suffering from visual or sight impairment, according to statistics.
Blindness could affect victims at any age, but it is said to be more prevalent within the age bracket of 40 years and above. Two major factors, reportedly, cause the dreaded disease, namely cataract and glaucoma. Both could be managed to prevent outright loss of sight. While cataract can be permanently eliminated through surgery, glaucoma cannot but its progression could be stopped through proper management. Other causative factors include ageing, diabetic retinopathy, refractive errors, exposure to violent dusty winds and ocular accidents.
For life, the potentials and capacity of the blind are seriously compromised except where such victims are exposed to special forms of education and relevant technology to assist their mobility. But it’s only a few that are fortunate enough to have access to such facilities. In mostly the rural areas, the victims live in perpetual blindness. In such enclaves, these modern amenities are nonexistent.
In most cases, only an insignificant number of the blind are productive and can fend for themselves. The majority are dependent on others for their daily livelihood. It’s to say the least ,a life of misery and pain. The subsisting state of the blind may continue and could grow worse if proactive measures are not undertaken now to prevent future degenerative occurrences.
Preventive initiatives, in our considered view, are within the capacity of all segments of society with government leading, to stem the ugly trend. The entire population should be mobilized through instruments of state power and the media to embark on regular eye check at hospitals across the country. In rural areas, the various health centers should be equipped with eye-care units where citizens could have routine checks.
Furthermore, public media campaign should be mounted against smoking. Scientifically, it’s been found that smoking is partly responsible for blindness in a number of cases. Such public advocacy should also lay emphasis on the need to protect the eyes against sunray and dust. In the course of daily activities, it is imperative that everyone exercises some caution to avoid accidents that could damage the eyes.
It is our position, moreover, that government at national and state levels should embark on evaluation of the capacity of their health institutions to deal with eye care. Where there are acute shortages, action should be initiated to train more personnel in the field of eye health. Obviously, the nation needs more ophthalmologists, optometrists, opticians, and allied personnel.
The eyes are the window to our physical world, its beauties and uglies. One’s ability to attain set goals, make outstanding achievements and possibly conquer the world is a function of clear eye sight. We urge the Federal and state governments to take more seriously the issue of eye health nationwide as raised by the Deputy Speaker Kalu. The National Assembly should as a matter of urgency initiate a legislation to further empower the Presidency to tackle the scourge of blindness, and avert the impending ocular danger.
