By Correspondent in Awka
An Optometrist,Dr Emma Ezejiegu,has advised members of the public to cultivate the culture of regular medical check up on their sight to guard against developing cataract.
He gave the advice on Monday in an interview with the Newsmen in Awka.
Ezejiegu, a Principal Optometrist at Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Amaku, Awka said that Cataract occurred in the crystalline lens as a result of protein accumulation.
According to him, protein deposits were characterised by an opaque film on the lens which became more obvious over time, adding that this cataract could be avoided through a routine eye check.
The medical expert identified signs and symptoms of the aliment to include: clouded vision,blurred vision increasing difficulty with vision at night and sensitivity to light and glare.
Ezejiegu added that cataract could be hereditary due to genetic makeup like people suffering from diabetes, hypertension amongst others.
Other causes of cataract, the expert added,were poorly controlled medical conditions like diabetes and trauma, adding that aging remained a key factor to the aliment.
“Inherited genetic disorder can equally increase the risk of cataract.
“Another sign of cataract is when the need for brighter light for reading and other visual activity is on a high side.
“When seeing halos around light and frequent changing in eyeglasses or contact lens becomes more pronounce,it is a cause for worry,” he said
The optometrist said that the only effective way to treat cataract is surgery to replace the damaged natural lens with an artificial lens implant through the traditional method or laser assisted means.
