Age, diet and climatic conditions cited as major causes of eye cataract in Garissa

Age, lifestyle and the harsh weather conditions are the main causes of cataracts across the world.

This was said by Dr Kabir Bello Abubakar a senior consultant with  Albasar international foundation.

He was speaking on the sidelines of a three-day eye clinic, a partnership between the county government and Al Basar International Foundation under sponsorship from Saudi Arabia’s King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre.

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which is typically clear.

Symptoms include eyesight becoming blurry, halos around lights, double vision, and poor night vision.

Dr Bello said the commonest cause of cataracts in North Eastern and other parts of the world with similar environment is diabetes maladies.

“The aim of Albasar foundation is to collaborate with other authorities to conduct this kind of free surgery so to curtail the burden of cataract backlog,” he said.

He said the foundation,founded 34 years ago, will traverse different countries among them kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, Burundi and other African countries.

“The aim of this programme is to operate at least 400 cases. The whole exercise is going to be free, including surgery and medicine. So our appeal is to residents to avail themselves so that we can remove the burden,” he said.

“We thank the governor and all the other leaders for giving us the opportunity to help the needy ones,” he said.

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama expressed concern that the problem has spread and threatens to affect a large population.

He reiterated the need to have to  a fully fledged eye centre and called on professionals to carry out researches that will provide a lasting solution.

“Once we equip that centre, a lot can be done by the hospital staff without the contribution or support from outside, even though that kind of collaboration is still very important,” he said.

Climatic conditions and lifestyle are some of the factors linked to the disease.

Sadia Issak,  a beneficiary of the eye clinic, narrated how she battled the illness for six years, almost becoming blind.

The 50-years-old mother of six from Balambala subcounty said she experienced a blurred vision saw  "halos" around lights.

“Before I could realise, one of  my eye had already sheltered. Then last week I heard on the radio that there will be a free eye medical clinic. I quickly boarded a bus and come to Garissa. I thank God and the Doctors who attended to me for free.  May God bless them.  I Will soon I regain my eyesight,” she said.