DEBUNKING AFRICAN EYE CARE MYTHS

Eye care education and enlightenment have drastically influenced abolishment of plenty myths that have been widely believed by people mostly the ill-informed ones.

This has still not eliminated completely the prevalence of mythical practices about eye care and vision improvement especially in the developing and underdeveloped countries which are predominant in Africa.

Due to limited availability of quality eye care services in most of the African regions because of either Cost of care or limited medical personnel, most people continue to depend on the traditional or crude methods of eye care. Few times, despite using these methods, there are desired results. But in larger amounts of cases do we have adverse and debilitating effects of such methods on the eyes and even the health of the individual.

In today’s blog, we will look at some of the common Eye care myths. Some are ridiculous whereas some are beliefs out of human reason, but somewhat untrue. But before that, let us look at some of interesting eye facts.

EYE FACTS

• Eyes are the most complex organs next to the brain.
• The muscles that move the eyes are the strongest muscles in the human body for its job. They are 100 times more powerful than required.
• Eyes are always the same from birth to death without growth.
• Blinking helps to wash/bathe the eyeballs with tears and keeps them clean and moist. Furthermore, if something is about to hit the eye, eyelid blinks without our knowledge.
• Tears are meant to protect the eye. It contains natural antibiotics; it prevents the eye from dry out and contain certain fats that limit the evaporation of tears.
• Human eyeball weighs approximately 28 grams.
• All babies are color blind when they are born.
• A normal person blinks about 12 times a minute. That is 10,080 blinks in 14 waking hours.
• Smoking increases the risk of some eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration and cataracts.
• Number one cause of blindness in adults in low-income countries is cataract.
• Eyes begin to develop two weeks after conception.
• Refractive error (short-sightedness, long-sightedness, astigmatism) is not curable, and glasses do not necessarily correct them permanently.
• We can use the eyes as much as one can - they do not wear out. They can get tired from prolonged use but not wear out and lose its function.

There are so many facts about the eyes that we may not be able to list them here. Now, let us look at the common eye care myths and then carefully debunk them.

SOME EYE MYTHS

Myth 1: Eye tests will always say that one has eye problem

Fact: Eye tests will only show what eye problem has always been there.

 

Myth 2: if I start wearing glasses, my eyesight will get worse, and I will keep wearing glasses.

Fact: Wearing of glasses does not make the eyesight worse. NOT WEARING prescribed glasses will make the eyes worse.

 

Myth 3: Use of computer is the reason my eyes are getting worse.

Fact: Eye symptoms due to the use of computer is poof that there may be pre-existing eye problems.

 

Myth 4: I can see very well and therefore I don’t have an eye problem.

Fact: Sight and Vision are not the same. One can have good sight and poor vision. Vision is the functional aspect of sight. Vision makes one understand and react to objects at sight.

 

Myth 5: Eye exam is needed only when I have any eye problems

Fact: Eye exam is needed not only when one has eye problems but also to detect hidden and potential cause of blindness of poor vision.

 

Myth 6: Eating of carrots and other fruits and health foods will improve my vision and eliminate eye problems.

Fact: Healthy foods and fruits do not substitute for eye treatments; however, they can help keep a healthy eye healthy.

 

Myth 7: Liquid drops from onions or urine into the eyes can cure eye infections.

Fact: Eye infections such as bacterial conjunctivitis or viral conjunctivitis are treated with corresponding antibiotics or antiviral. Onions and urine drop into the eyes are harmful and are vehemently discouraged.

 

Myth 8: Reading in dim light can hurt eyes

Fact: Reading in dim light can cause eyestrain, but it will not hurt the eyes.

 

Myth 9: My parents never wore glasses and so I don’t need to wear glasses.

Fact: That parents didn’t wear glasses is not a guarantee that the children will not wear glasses.

 Please always ensure that you get advice from a professional regarding any medical condition and not from popular opinions or what has been “traditionally practiced” especially about the eyes.

 

REASONS WHY EYE CARE IS IMPORTANT

1. Early detection of possible cause of vision loss and proffering preventive measures.
2. Improved sight and vision resulting to improved efficiency and better quality of life.
3. Detection of systemic conditions; Signs of some medical conditions can be easily detected by comprehensive eye examination.

 

FOR MORE ENQUIRIES OR CLARIFICATION ABOUT EYE CARE, KINDLY CALL US AT +234701 820 7486, 015212807 OR EMAIL US DOCTORS@SPECSMART.NG