15 Nov 2016

Timely eye examination plays an important role in detecting some of the lifestyle diseases, says optometrist, Dr Seabelo Maje.

The optometrist was speaking during the Accountant General’s wellness day at Otse sports complex on November 10.

He said eye examination can assist in detecting early signs of some diseases as most diseases affect the eye.

“We are primary health care providers, we can pick so many things through eye assessment before you test,” he said.

Therefore Dr Maje said those who show signs of diseases are directed to relevant specialists for further examination, hence bringing timely intervention before the diseases could spread.

He encouraged the community  to undergo regular eye check ups, saying diseases such as sugar diabetes, hypertension and cancer do impact the eye.

Dr Maje further encouraged the community to take a good care of their eyes, saying failing to do such can affect eyesight.

For her part, Ms Lorato Marabe, who is a psychiatric nurse at Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital encouraged the community take advantage of the facilities.

She said more often people do not seek help at Sbrana, but only come when it is too late.

Ms Marabe said Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital is not only for people who are mentally disturbed, but also offers counselling.

She further blamed excessive drug usage as one of the contributors to mental disorders.

Ms Marabe stressed that some people with mental disorders can be helped out of the problem, hence she stressed the need to visit the facility to seek help. BOPA