By SAM PHIRI –
AN eye specialist has said lack of timely diagnosis of eye ailments and early treatment among many Zambians has led to many eye complications that even lead to blindness.
Vision Care Centre consultant optometrist and contact lens specialist Jagdish Kumar also said many Zambians did not take regular eye check-ups seriously, a situation he described as dangerous.
Dr Kumar said a huge percentage of patients with various eye ailments in Zambia would only seek medical attention way too late after the condition had deteriorated to its critical stage.
“Many eye conditions can be treated easily if diagnosed early and through simple regular and routine reported check-ups,” Dr Kumar said.
“We are able to detect if there is any developing problem which we can easily treat.”
Dr Kumar was speaking on Wednesday when Vision Care Centre conducted a free eye screening for Times of Zambia employees.
He advised people not to fear or shun eye surgeries once they had been diagnosed with a condition that would only be corrected through surgery.
“Many people have suffered from glaucoma but would not come early for treatment or would fear the treatment, but this is one condition that is curable,” he said.
Dr Kumar said people should not be deceived by the good looks of their eyes as some conditions would not visibly manifest unless through a proper eye scan.
He has also cautioned people to be weary of the weather changes as that might also cause allergic conjunctivitis.