Ophthalmologist Warns Against Using Breast Milk For Eye Treatment

Nigerians have been warned to stop applying breast milk to treat eye issues, as its application to the eye may endanger their sight.

The Head of Ophthalmology Department at the Osun State Specialist Hospital, Asubiaro, Osogbo, Dr Bola Olomola, gave the charge on Thursday during this year’s World Sight Day.

The Ophthalmologist, who was reviewing cases found to be prevalent during the free eye screening exercise for staff of the Ministries at the Government Secretariat, Osogbo and leaders of labour unions, noted that cases of refractive error were on the increase among those screened.

She said, “Refractive errors are on the rise going by the screening. We ought to be counting cataracts too, but the State Governor (Ademola Adeleke) has done free cataract surgery and it has reduced in that category.

“Refractive error is the inability to see clearly at a standard visual distance of 6 meters which could be due to biopia or hyperopia.

“At the general screening, it is difficult for us to correct the distance most of the time. We have given many of the civil servants who came for the screening reading glasses. We are trying to correct the people who can benefit from presbyopic corrections.

“But for the distance corrections, they should go further to the hospitals for that one. Also, we will advise people not to apply breast milk to their eyes as treatment.

“We are also appealing to our parents to stop correcting their children through slapping. Even adults should not focus on the eye when engaging in physical fights. All these things constitute a risk to the eyes.”

Also commenting, the Desk Officer for Eye Unit at the Ministry, Dr Olufemi Oroge, said the motive behind the free eye screening was to create awareness and draw attention to the need for people to take care of their sight.

Oroge said, “Our lives and work are easier and more efficient when we have a good sight. We have to make sure that our eyes are kept at optimal functioning. People should make it a duty to go for an eye check every time.”