By Alex Gahima
A study conducted by Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital and Ruharo Mission Hospital has revealed that more people in their 30s and above are more prone to Glaucoma disease.
Glaucoma is a disease which causes high pressure in your eyes and damages the nerve connecting your eyes and brain
Head of Eye Clinic at St Francis Hospital, Mutolere Pascal Nsekuye says the research shows that 4% of Ugandans in the age group of 30 years and above are more likely to be affected by the Silent thief of Sight.
“Glaucoma is sometimes called the silent thief of sight because it slowly damages the eyes and can cause irreparable harm before there is any vision loss. It is also known to have no cure”, Nsekuye explained.
Nsekuye called on Kisoro communities to carry out regular checkups to avoid going completely blind.
According to 2021 Statistics, 2. 5 million Ugandans had moderate and severe eye- related impairments. Approximately 150,000 are completely blind.
The comments were made yesterday during the official launch of the Lions Comprehensive Eye Care Project for Kigezi region at St. Francis Hospital Mutolere.
The project that is running for the next three years has enabled the hospital screen, test and operate people with a range of eye related complications including Cataracts.
During a weeklong surgical camp, at least 60 people were screened and tested. Among these, 40 patients were operated upon.
Under the Lions Comprehensive Eye care Project, the hospital has been boasted with equipment worth 170 million shillings to support the eye clinic.
Two hospital personnel have also been trained to manage the growing demand for eye care services.
Lions Project Chairman Bernard Kakuhikire says Mutolere Hospital joins five other regional hospitals to benefit from the eye care project.
These include Kisiizi, Nyakibale, Rugarama, Rushooka HCIII and Bwindi Community Hospitals.
According to Kakuhikire, people from Kisoro district were not benefitting from the eye clinics in Mbarara and Ruharo because of the expenses incurred in transport and accommodation.
“We are aware that the cost of treating eye related conditions is very expensive that is why Lions Club has decided to support the people of Kisoro benefit from subsided fees on eye care services”, Kakuhikire said
Kisoro Lions Club Mobiliser Prince Trevor Mugenga of Voice of Muhabura radio says, the club is comprised of people who has a strong desire to serve others.
He called on the hospital administration to utilize the equipment well to help the communities.
“Being a Lion does not mean that you must have a lot of money. What matters is to have a desire to help others in less privileged positions with the little you have, Prince explained
Some of the beneficiaries present at the launch thanked Lions Club and Mutolere Hospital for bringing the services closer.
St. Francis Hospital, Mutolere Medical Superintendent Dr. Jerome Mugisha said the Lions comprehensive eye care project is timely because it will help many people with their eye problems.
Dr. Mugisha says people tend to ignore eye related conditions because many of them do not present with any pain and this makes people ignore seeking treatment until it is almost too late.
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