Date: 2018-01-22

An Ophthalmologist with the Sobi Specialist Hospital , Ilorin , the Kwara state capital , Doctor Taoheed Abdullahi has cautioned Nigerians against the use of traditional medicine or native substances in the treatment of eye problems to avoid sudden or total blindness.

Doctor Abdullahi who gave the warning in Ilorin while featuring on a Radio Kwara programme , Health Half Hour, similarly warned against patronizing quack doctors who carry out surgeries in the eyes and in the process worsen their conditions.

The Ophthalmologist also stressed the need for Nigerians to visit hospitals at least once in a year to check the conditions of their eyes and those with eye problems such as cataract and glaucoma or diabetic patients should go to to their doctors regularly while on appointment .

He warned couples that are fond of quarreling at homes to avoid domestic violence particularly beating each other on the head where the eyes are located to avoid blindness and that teachers or security operatives or even parents or guardians should also guide against hitting school children or suspects with sticks or other instrument on the head.

Doctor Abdullahi implored parents to stop the practice of applying breast milk on the eyes of their newly born babies if they observe any problem but rather call the attention of experts and warned against the use of led pencils on babies because one wants to add to their beauty.

The ophthalmologist equally appealed to farmers ,welders and other industrial workers to protect their eyes while working of the farms or at their workshops to protect substances entering into their eyes.

He described the eye as an organ that is used not only for seeing but that also adds beauty to our nature and the explained that the colour of the eyes depends on either race or disease condition.

During this period of harmattan , Doctor Abdullahi advised people to protect their eyes from dust and possibly wear eye glasses and in case they observe any problem , such person should report to their nearest hospital .