12 Aug 2018

Tlokweng based Optometrists Ms Thanuja Panicker says  most eye problems can be restored provided the sight is not affected by hypertension and diabetes.

She said this in an interview during the Serowe Central Lions Club eye campaign in Serowe  on August 11.

Ms Panicker of Eyelight Optometrists said diabetes and high blood pressure affect the blood vessels of the back portion of the eye or the retina, which is important for vision. 

The President of Greater Gaborone Lions club said such causes irreversible blindness, hence the need for evaluation as part of a regular health check plan including eye examination to detect the changes and treat the bleeding vessels with a special laser, especially in diabetic cases. 

She said diabetes could hasten the progress of the cataract. 

Ms Panicker said non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension were on the rise worldwide, including juvenile diabetes, which strikes children due to eating habits such as fast food intake and obesity, among other reasons.

Ms Panicker said although affordability and accessibility had been associated to rising figures of blindness, it has become evident that lack of awareness was the main drawback leading to visual impairment.

About  123 people were tested, 90 of whom were furnished with reading glasses while 19 were referred to Sekgoma Memorial Hospital for cataract operations and only three required medication.

Ms Panicker, who donated the P4 500 worth of reading spectacles, said cataract was the leading cause for reversible blindness and said people should be quick to seek medical attention once they notice some changes in their eyes. 

 She said from the statistics of the day 90 per cent needed reading spectacles, and said failure to acquire them could lead to reversible visual impairment. 

She said presently in Botswana 15 000 people  were blind while 35 000 were visually impaired. 

The eye specialist said not all the people required reading glasses, but needed operation only for their sight to be restored. 

The host, club secretary Ms Winnie Jagwer said they were delighted by the turnout, and said that their  mandate was to serve, saying they wished to see  more people coming on board to help them realise their dreams. 

She said although it was the second time hosting the event they were humbled that more health service providers saw the need to be part of the day and applauded Thuso Wholesalers, Food Botswana, Longroad, Ms Panicker and Anand Nighojkar of JB Eye Care for making the day a success.

 Ms Jagwer said Lions Club as a non profit making organ depended solely on donations and volunteers.

Kgosi Mokhutshwane Sekgoma commended Serowe Central Lions Club for their noble gesture and said their desire was to see more people emulating their spirit of volunteerism. 

Kgosi Sekgoma led the tree planting session as a Lions environmental activity, in partnership with Greater Gaborone Club. Many people were screened for cancer while others donated blood during the event that attracted hundreds of people. Ends