Get Your Eyes Checked, Nurse Urges
Staff Nurse Vikashni Latchmi says Fijians must get their eyes checked annually and ensure that eye examinations are a part of their routine medical examination
Ms Latchmi was part of a medical team from the Colonial War Memorial Hospital’s Eye Department that conducted free eye check-up yesterday.
This was held to mark World Sight Day.
With the theme “Love Your Eyes”, Ms Latchmi said eyes are a vital organ, and people must always protect them.
She said there are 600 million people who are functionally blind, and they do not have access to eye examinations and glasses.
“When we have eye clinics, Fijians should take advantage of this. We must always protect our eyes.
The 4P’s
She said there are 4P’s that people must take heed of, and they are Prevention, Protection, Preserve and Prioritise.
Prevention- Many eye diseases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, eating healthy and adopting healthy habits.
Protection –It is important to protect your eyes from UV rays, wear sunglasses and hats when out in the sun.
Preserve - Get a regular comprehensive eye examination to ensure that your eye care practitioner obtains a detailed medical history to understand your risk factors.
Prioritise - Ensure that eye examinations are a part of your routine medical examination.
Rule of 2020
Eye specialist, Dr Elenoa Raikabakaba said it was important to know the rule of 2020, that is when you read a book for 20 minutes, try and take a break by looking at something that is 20ft away from you for seconds.
“This will help you relax your eye muscles. Most people don’t realise the importance of eyes until it is gone or when they don’t have vision anymore,” she said.
Dr Raikabakaba said the health department is now getting into telemedicine where everything is done online.
A toll-free line where people can contact them is 165 option 9.