Awareness campaign an eye opener for some
Some participants had their eyes opened about the health of their eyes.
Kwa-Thema – To commemorate World Glaucoma Week, the Faith Christian Centre hosted an eye care awareness campaign on Saturday.
World Glaucoma Week was from March 9 to 15. Ophthalmology nurse Sindiswa Masilela and her colleagues Nonhlanhla Maseko and Joyce Ramothibe taught the attendees about the parts of the eye and how various diseases can affect them.
She noted that as people aged, their eyesight naturally changed, often leading to difficulty seeing up close, adjusting to light changes and distinguishing colours, potentially causing vision loss and blindness.
“There are structures in the eye you cannot see, but we can see them using the appropriate equipment, so getting your eyes checked by professionals is crucial,” she added.
Glaucoma is a chronic, progressive eye disease that damages the optic nerve, which connects the eye to the brain.
She said that the disease is sneaky, often showing no early symptoms. Glaucoma can cause sudden, severe eye pain, blurred vision, nausea, vomiting, and halos around lights.
“You can go to bed one night, able to see everything, and wake up in the morning completely blind,” she added.
Masilela also warned against the continued use of over-the-counter eye drops.
“Besides the fact that you could easily be misdiagnosed if you are not thoroughly checked by a professional, most drops you get are incorrectly used,” she said.
Masilela explained that the expiration date of the medicines only applies as long as they remain sealed. She added that one must store medication away from direct sunlight.
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“Once you open the eye drops, you are supposed to use it in 30 days. If you do not finish it in 30 days, you should discard what is left,” she added, much to the shock of the attendees.
Masilela said that pain, itching and uncontrollable watering are reasons for an urgent eye screening.
“I also want you to understand that glasses are a treatment. Do not pretend not to see clearly, even when you can. If you get prescribed glasses you do not need, you are doing more harm than good,” she explained.
Masilela added that, after the screening, some people might need other forms of treatment, and they would be referred to specialists.
Attendee Vuyiswa Tshabalala had her first eye test in 60 years, “I am glad I was screened today because they found something in my eyes that needs medical attention,” she said.
