By Benjamin Akoto, GNA
Sunyani, July 23, GNA – An Optometrist at the Bono Regional Red Cross Society of Ghana Eye Clinic, Dr Danjuma Faisal, has encouraged the citizenry to undergo an eye test at least twice a year to avoid any adverse conditions.
He said once a condition was identified early a solution would quickly be prescribed to correct the defect.
He said eye conditions such as glaucoma would not show any symptoms and unless the eyes were checked, it would be difficult to identify such a condition.
Dr Faisal was speaking to the Ghana News Agency in an interview in Sunyani about the citizens’ inability to patronise eye clinics to check the status of their eyes.
He said previously there were inadequate eye care facilities and practitioners, but now eye clinics have sprouted across the country, so identifying a clinic would not be stressful.
Dr Faisal observed that persons around 45 years purchased ‘Plus Three’ spectacles to aid them in reading, but such spectacles were meant for those aged 70 and above and because buyers did not use the appropriate procedure, they end up acquiring the wrong spectacles.
”Spectacles are supposed to solve a particular problem so you don’t purchase something that adds on or aggravates your condition,’ he emphasised.
”When we dispense spectacle to the aged, we consider their systemic conditions such as being diabetic or hypertensive because we realise those conditions affected their vision, hence we don’t do the spectacle description in isolation from their health condition, but those who sell outside do not consider all these factors, they just sell for their money and the fashion aspect of it,” he explained.
Dr Faisal indicated one challenge affecting the sector was the use of herbs and, therefore, cautioned the public against the use of herbal medication for eye treatment, saying the eye is very delicate and once it was damaged it could not be restored, so ”people should be careful about things they put on their eyes”.
He, therefore. emphasized the need for citizens to eat nutritious meals because once the meal is healthy the eyes also benefit.
GNA
