The Chairperson of Nigeria Ophthalmic Nurses Association (NONA), Ogun State Chapter, Comrade Mojisola Bankole has advised Nigerians to be more conscious of the care of their eyes, saying that eyes serves as an integral part of the body.
This was made known to newsmen during the 3rd Annual Scientific Conference of Nigerian Ophthalmic Nurses Association held at the Cooperative Hall of Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta.
Comrade Bankole added that ophthalmic nurses have the ability to apply medical and nursing intervention towards ensuring visual care requirements with a primary role that lies in developing and maintaining the highest standard of care and helping patients adapt to new life style altering conditions.
She reiterated that early diagnoses of retinopathy will help control the blood sugar and loss of vision.
”Nigerians must always take care of their eye as ophthalmic nurses have the ability to apply medical and nursing intervention that fulfil visual care requirements with a primary role that lies in developing and maintaining the highest standard of care and helping patients adapt to new life style altering
”Ogun State being the gateway state has been setting records to other chapters with several achievements recorded in the few time”
She appreciated members of the executives for their devotion, support and commitment so as to take the association to an enviable end.
The Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre, Idi – Aba, Abeokuta, Professor Musa Olomu ably represented by Head of Clinical Services, Dr. Ojemiledo Fidelis applauded the nurses for playing a pivotal roles in the institution.
He added that the Medical Director valued the mutual co-existence that exist the association and the medical institution.
”I want appreciate the theme for this year’s Conference as apt and very important considering the eyes challenges confronting many in the society today”
”I also want to call on the nurses to always see the affairs of their patients as its their wellness that could give them unreserved joy from within”
While speaking on the theme of the Conference, “Prevention and Management of Retinopathy: The Role of Ophthalmic Nurses. The Guest Speaker, Dr. Salau Abiola, Consultant Ophthalmologist FMC, Abeokuta said diabetic retinopathy was a diabetes complication that could affect the eyes and caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina).
He noted that the condition could develop in anyone who has type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
He said,” The longer you have diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugar is, the more likely you are to develop this eye complication”.
“Careful management of diabetes is the best way to prevent vision loss”.
He enjoined If diabetic patients to always seek proper medical assistance such as eye doctors or nurses for a yearly eye examination with dilation — even if the vision seems fine.
He therefore urged nurses to keep on with awareness and sensitization to reduce the high rate of retinopathy in the society.
