Uganda Plans to Fight Against Trachoma Disease Which Increases the Risk of Blindness
Johannesburg (AND) Uganda has offered free eye treatment to more than 100 patients at the Nebbi hospital in an attempt to stamp out the trachoma disease which causes blindness after repeated infection.
Blinding trachoma is widespread in the Middle East, north and Sub-Sahara Africa, parts of the Indian subcontinent, southern Asia and China.
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines trachoma as an infection of the eyes that may result in blindness after repeated re-infections.
The disease is the world's leading cause of preventable blindness and occurs where people live in overcrowded conditions with limited access to water and health care. Trachoma spreads easily from person to person and is frequently passed from child to child and from child to mother within the family.
Trachoma is caused by an organism called Chlamydia trachomatis. Through the discharge from an infected child's eyes, trachoma is passed on by hands, on clothing, or by flies that land on the face of the infected child.
Last year only, a health organisation, International Sightsavers, treated 6 673 people with trachoma and 2 676 with cataract operations.
Filed under Eye Treatment
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October 28th, 2006 at 5:48 am
TO PRACTICE AS AN OPTOMETRIST IN ANY EYE CENTER IN EAST AFRICA
I am sending this email to indicate my desire to practice as an optometrist in any of the Eye centres/Hospital in any of the East African countries where the services of eye are professionals are need for prevention of blindness.
Fortunately, I have worked (as part-timer) in various rural communities for several years under the auspices of Zenith Mobile Eye clinic for Rural people here in Nigeria .
I am highly familiar and have handled patients with various visual dysfunctions and eye diseases (refractive cases including presbyopia, catarct, avitamiosis A, Trachoma, Malnutruition, conjunctivitis, Filariasis (onchocerciasis, loisis etc), and may others.
I graduated from Imo State (now known as Abia State due to new states creation) school of Optometry in 1989 with O.D. degree in Optometry. I won the prize as the best graduating student in clinical Optometry in our degree examination.
I have worked in different eye clinics, hospitals and centers and my duties include patient’s Eye Examination, Diagnosis, Treatment and Management of different types of eye diseases and conditions -excluding surgical cases.
The extents of my practice are:
1. Application of pharmaceutical diagnostic agents in patient examination.
2. Application of pharmaceutical agents in the treatment of eye diseases.
3. Prescription of spectacle lenses for refractive errors corrections.
4. Prescription of contact lenses for refractive error corrections.
5. Prescription of Low vision aid for partially sighted individuals.
6. Rehabilitation of the partially and/or totally blind individuals.
7. Counseling and Educating people in issues relating to vision and the general health and social lives of people.
8. Detecting and evaluating some systemic disorders (Diabetes, High BP, Polycythemia Vera, Anemia, etc.,) through ocular examination.
9. Currently, I am into co-management with Dr. Mathur ?the chief consultant Ophthalmologist/Surgeon in handling surgical and non surgical patients in the ophthalmology unit of our Teaching Hospital) where we handle great number of eye diseases, eye injuries, and pre and post surgical patients. I am well acquainted with Phaco-emulsifying machine and surgical procedures during surgery in the theater.
10. Management of pre and post operative patients as well as disease conditions of the eye.
At present, I am with the Department of Optometry, Madonna University as the Head of Department of Optometry, Coordinator of Pre-Degree programme of the University, Lecturer I and clinic supervisor.
Yours Sincerely,
MacPrince E.Chimaroke. O.D. mnoa
Head of Department of Optometry, and Coordinator, Pre-Degree Programme.
Madonna University .
P.M.B. 48
Elele. Rivers State .
Nigeria .
Tel(mobile) +234 8053161569
Emai: chimaenyiprince@yahoo.com