As Nigeria joins their counterparts in the world to mark this year world Sight Day, Eye specialists have warned against the patronage of quacks in the trearment of healrh challenges.
Eye test for one of the Journalists at the event
The Specialists under the aegies of ophthalmologists Society of Nigeria has warned citizens to desist from couching as solution to curing cataract.
The society which used the day to test eyes of some Journalists, declared that couching cataract does not solve the problem but complicates the eye conditions of victims.
The Ogun State Chairman of the Society, Dr. Ajibode Haroun Adetunji who gave the warning while addressing participants at the free eye care services conducted for journalists in Ogun state by medical doctors and ophthalmologists from the Federal Medical Center (FMC), Idi-Aba, Abeokuta explained that aside from the fact that couching is very expensive, the practice is also risks as victims could contact infections that are likely to permanently damage their eyes.
“Couching cataract does not solve the problem, majority of the victims do develop complications at the end of the day. It is an old practice that exposed them to infections and even cataract could break inside the retina”.
Speaking further at the event themed “Universal Eye Health”, which also targeted all practicing journalists in Ogun state, Ajibode said the rationale was to equip media practitioners with enough and adequate information for onward transmission to the public on how cataract patients could care for their eyes without resulting to self-medication.
He explained that there is no reason for cataract patients to consult quacks, particularly in Ogun when there are several eye care centers available across the state such as the FMC, Idi-Aba, the State Hospital, Ijaiye, Abeokuta as well as other private ophthalmological centers.
” For journalists, it is important to care for those who give information in order for them to have first-hand information about care for the eyes. Example is the misconceptions about "apolo" eye infection”.
“We are here because we want people who give information about care for the eyes, to give the right and accurate information and not half-truth. Couching is dangerous”.
“This is also an opportunity to partner media practitioners in order for the public to know what to avoid”.
Not less than 400 Journalists undergo free eye test at the occasion
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