
13/03/2025
Patrick was a dedicated family man who loved his family so much. Over the weekend, Patrick decided to take his family out for a nice dinner. After they had enjoyed themselves, it was time to go home.
Patrick's wife, Dora, sat beside him in the front seat while the two daughters, Queen and Iwuese, were on their phones.
While driving through the night, Patrick noticed some challenges with observing the side mirrors.
As he reached a curve ahead, he could barely see the curve. He held the steering wheel tight and was gripped in tension. Just as the car moved away, off course, Dora shouted, 'Patrick, look out!'
He instinctively managed to narrowly avoid a collision and had to park and take a break. The family was stunted by silence and feared for their lives.
The following morning, Dora urged Patrick to visit an eye clinic, where he learned he had advanced glaucoma.
*What is glaucoma?*
These are a group of eye diseases that can lead to irreversible blindness. Glaucoma is an eye condition that occurs due to an increase in the intra-ocular pressure of the eye and causes damage to the optic nerves, which are responsible for transmitting visual signals to the brain. When the nerves are damaged due to this high pressure, it affects how well you see. Often referred to as a" silent thief of sight." It typically has no visible symptoms and can only be detected via eye exams.
In Patrick's case, the advanced form of glaucoma resulted in tunnel vision.
Tunnel vision is an inability to appreciate side vision. That is, every object not in the straight path while looking ahead will be missed. People with advanced glaucoma are known to bump into objects.
*Who is at risk of glaucoma?*
1. Family history: If any family member is diagnosed with glaucoma, then it is a wake-up call.
2. Ethnicity: There are high cases of glaucoma reported in Nigeria.
3. High intraocular pressure
4. Eye injury: A history of injury to the eye should be monitored as this can lead to glaucoma.
Regular eye checks are important to prevent and manage this condition. Follow for more