Optometrist cautions against patronising quacks for eye car

An optometrist, Dr Ugonma Ogbonnaya, has cautioned against patronising quacks for eye care, saying that “many have lost their sights to such ignorance.”

Ogbonnaya, who works at the Federal Medical Centre, Umuahia, gave the warning in an interview with newsmen in Umuahia on Wednesday.

She said that some people indulged in all manner of traditional and harmful practices such as putting urine, sugar, hydraulic oil and others in their eyes.

According to her, the eye is a delicate organ and some part of it, when lost as a result of such practices, cannot be regained.

The optometrist explained that there was an incident where a family put hydraulic oil in their baby’s eyes following wrong advice and the baby became blind eventually.

She added that “when you go to a quack that mixes concoction for you when you are having complications, the person can give you anything.

“Why not go to a hospital where there are professionals who know what to do in case of any complication?

“That is why I love government hospitals because there are hierarchies; even the nurses in the eye section are trained just for the eyes.”

She insisted that people should be careful about what they put in their eyes and where they seek care, as it has dangerous health implications.