RE: Your Eyes, Your Life: Bridging the Gaps in Eye Care Access
By Azubike Nass Over the past few weeks, your HealthSense column on eye health has done something important—it has simplified a complex subject and brought it within the grasp of
By Azubike Nass
Over the past few weeks, your HealthSense column on eye health has done something important—it has simplified a complex subject and brought it within the grasp of the average reader. At a time when vision-related challenges are rising globally, such public health education is not just useful; it is essential.
The series has largely approached eye care from an orthodox medical perspective, outlining the importance of routine checks, early diagnosis, and professional treatment. While this is commendable, there is also a need to expand the conversation to reflect the realities many people face, particularly in developing contexts like ours. Eye health is not just about knowledge—it is also about access, affordability, and trust in the system.
One of the most pressing challenges is the difficulty of accessing routine or periodic eye examinations. For many people living in rural communities, and even in densely populated urban areas, eye specialists are few and far between. Primary healthcare centres often lack dedicated eye care units, and where services exist, they may be irregular or overstretched. This gap in access pushes many individuals toward alternatives that may not always be safe.
It is not uncommon, for instance, to find people relying on unverified traditional remedies or purchasing eye drops from roadside chemists without proper prescriptions. These practices, while driven by necessity, can lead to complications, delayed diagnosis, and, in some cases, irreversible damage. Although outreach programmes occasionally bring eye care services closer to underserved populations, their reach remains limited, and they are often not sustained.
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Another critical issue is the limited opportunity for second expert opinions. In many healthcare systems, especially those under strain, patients often rely on a single diagnosis without the chance to verify or question it. Yet, medical errors are a reality in all fields, including eye care. With relatively few specialists available, some practitioners may handle cases beyond their expertise rather than refer patients to more appropriate facilities—sometimes because such facilities are not easily accessible.
This situation can have long-term consequences. A misdiagnosis or inappropriate treatment plan, especially in eye health, can worsen a condition that might have been manageable if addressed correctly from the outset. There are also concerns about commercial pressures within the system, where some practitioners may be quick to prescribe corrective lenses without sufficiently investigating underlying causes of visual impairment.
These observations are not merely theoretical. They reflect lived experiences—mine and those of others. On two separate occasions in my 40s, I underwent eye examinations and was prescribed glasses along with medications. Yet, each time, I felt an inner hesitation about immediately adopting the recommendation. I chose not to use the glasses, opting instead to observe and explore other approaches.
Over time, I began to study both orthodox and alternative perspectives on eye health, including nutritional approaches. This journey led me to adopt a regimen that emphasised diet, supplementation, and overall lifestyle balance. Today, in my late 60s, I have not found the need to rely on corrective lenses, though I acknowledge that such interventions may become necessary in the future, whether in the form of glasses or surgical options. It is important to note that this experience is not a rejection of conventional medicine. Rather, it highlights the potential value of a more holistic approach—one that integrates medical expertise with nutrition and preventive care. Indeed, there is growing recognition that certain nutrients play a critical role in maintaining eye health and preventing degeneration.
Foods rich in vitamin A, for instance, support night vision and overall retinal function, while antioxidants help protect the eyes from oxidative stress. A balanced diet that includes vegetables, fruits, and other nutrient-dense foods can contribute significantly to long-term visual health. Moreover, such dietary practices can also help manage underlying conditions like diabetes and hypertension, which are known risk factors for vision problems.
At the same time, the conversation around traditional and alternative medicine must be approached with caution. While there are claims about the benefits of certain herbs, roots, and natural remedies, the challenge lies in verification. The field is often crowded with unqualified practitioners, making it difficult for individuals to distinguish between credible knowledge and harmful misinformation.
This is where a critical gap exists. Traditional and alternative approaches to eye health have not received sufficient scientific evaluation through structured research, laboratory analysis, and clinical trials. With proper study and standardisation, some of these methods could potentially complement orthodox care, offering additional tools for prevention and management. The goal, therefore, should not be to position one approach against another, but to encourage a more integrated system—one that combines the strengths of modern medicine with validated traditional knowledge. Such an approach would expand options for patients while ensuring safety and effectiveness.
Ultimately, eye health is too important to be left to chance. The ability to see clearly affects every aspect of life—from education and productivity to independence and quality of living. Addressing the challenges in access, improving the quality of care, encouraging informed decision-making, and investing in research are all critical steps toward a healthier society.
As the conversation on eye health continues, it is essential to keep the focus broad and inclusive. Public awareness must go hand in hand with systemic improvements, ensuring that knowledge translates into real-world impact. Because at the end of the day, protecting our vision is not just a medical concern—it is a shared responsibility.
