COMMUNITY EYE CARE
INTRODUCTION: Prevention of blindness has been integrated within Primary Health Care system, this current approach signify the importance of eight (8) essential element of Primary Health Care activities to prevent diseases that may lead to blindness, visual impairment and also to facilitates referral for sight restoration surgery.
Some children were born either blind or with visual problems due to certain developmental anomalies, infection, birth injuries or hereditary factors. Others may develop problems as they grew up, while some adults may experience visual problems or become blind during their working career or old age. Most of the causes of visual problems world over are preventable through Promotive, Preventive measures or Curable by basic eye care delivery services.
Due to inadequate eye care eye care skills possessed by health care providers, facilities and services many people becomes permanently blind or visually impaired.
Without appropriate and timely management, eye problem impose restrictions on the physical, emotional and social development of those affected. For this reason therefore, upgrading the skills of community based health workers become an imperative step in reducing the incidence and prevalence of eye problems.
Element of Primary Health Care
Immunization: The national programme on immunization (NPI) can result in prevention of blindness from measles vaccine, Vitamin A supplements. Rubella immunization for pregnant mother prevent congenital rubella syndrome including blindness.
Nutrition: Good nutrition with Vitamin A supplementation food products can help in preventing xerophthalmic and the resultant blindness.
Water and sanitation: These have direct relevance to the prevention of blindness from Trachoma where personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness are critical parts of the SAFE strategy.
Control of common diseases: Treatment of external eye diseases, Trachoma, and Onchocerciasis can help to reduce the prevalence of visual loss from eye diseases.
Reproductive health services: Better care of pregnant women and young child can help to reduce the prenatal and neonatal childhood blindness.
Health education: Many causes of blindness can be prevented by eye health education e.g eye injuries, harmful effect of traditional eye medications and self-medications.
Essential drugs supply: It is important that drug like tetracycline eye ointment be available for Trachoma, and other eye infections, Vitamin A capsules for xerophthalmia, and ivermectin for Onchocerciasis.
Early diagnosis and prompt management of cases.