Childhood Blindness: Dont apply local herbs, salt, breast milk in childrens eyes Optometrist to mothers

BY IGNATIUS AWUAH TANOE BLAY

Dr. Godwin Asamoah Ahiakwao - Optometrist

A senior optometrist at the Ga North Municipal Hospital, Dr Godwin Asamoah Ahiakwao says chronic redness detected in the eyes of children could be a symptom of congenital glaucoma which must be given urgent medical attention.

Congenital glaucoma, also known as childhood glaucoma, is a birth defect that damages the optic nerve and can lead to an irreversible visual loss (blindness) of the child.

Consequently, he warned nursing mothers to desist from the use of local herbs, water, salt or breast milk in the eyes, “rather seek immediate treatment at the hospital.”

Speaking in an interview with the IG-TECH MEDIA NETWORK on childhood blindness, Dr Ahiakwao, said Childhood blindness had become known to be prevalent among children across the world with an estimated 1.4 million children worldwide suffering from the disease.

Africa and Asia, he said, account for 75 per cent of the disease burden.

According to Dr Ahiakwao, some medications pregnant women took could have effect on a baby during pregnancy, while alcoholism, infections, smoking and traumas could interrupt with the formation of the baby most likely the eye.

We have to be meticulous with our childrens health, a child who is disoriented, can be hitting the head against a wall or anything and with this, a mother must not take it lightly”.

He added that, traumas, genetic conditions, Nutritional deficiencies, Refractive errors, certain infections, excessive smoking and alcoholism were some major causes of childhood blindness.

He, However, research had shown that Refractive errors, congenital glaucoma, congenital cataract were all birth defect that damages the optic nerve and could lead to irreversible visual loss of the child, since the lens of the eyes becomes opaque instead of clear.

Some nutritional deficiencies, such as lack in vitamin A, hyperglycemia (a diabetic mother with high blood sugar) can cause child blindness. If there were any discolorations on the black part of a childs eye, parents should visit an eye specialist, Dr Ahiakwao said.

Chronic redness of the eye could be a symptom of congenital glaucoma which needed to be checked, he added.

Dr Ahiakwao therefore, warned parents to desist from applying local treatment being it herb, water, salt and breast milk on a child having eye issues, but rather the child should be sent to the hospital.

Pregnant women should always visit the hospital and antenatal care for checkup to help detect early infection on the foetus and the mother as well".

Good eating habits, abstinence from smoking, restraining from alcohol and avoiding self-medications could be good sign for a safe and healthy child he added.

Dr Ahiakwao reiterated that parents should observe their childrens activities and behaviour every time to determine their health changes.