The increasing cases of blindness in Uganda are caused by the persistent help sought from herbalists by patients, Dr Susan Kikira, a consultant ophthalmologist from Jinja Referral Hospital has warned.

Kikira made the remarks after providing free services to more than 20 eye patients at Herona Hospital in Kisoga town, Mukono district on Thursday. 

She led a team of six experts in ophthalmology. 

“I appeal to all Ugandans to always visit eye experts and be examined first," she said.

Prospective patients waiting to go for their operation.

"More so at the level of a health centre IV in the different parts of the country. The government placed their experts to help all patients with eye problems,” Kikira said.

Steven Mukuye, one of the surgeons in the health camp, said many people are careless when it comes to their eyes because they don’t feel pain, while some of them ended up being blind.

“If a person goes in time and sees the experts, such a person can be helped and not lose his or her sight,” he noted

Robert Sekitto, the spokesperson of Herona Hospital, says that they decided to carry out the campaign after realising that many people in Mukono and the surrounding areas, mostly low-income earners, are in need of accessible health services yet they are financially capable of finding a solution.

Consultant ophthalmologist Dr Susan Kikira with the team that led the camp.

Sekitoleko added that the system of giving back to the community which they do at every beginning of the month, has seen them provide eye operations to over 600 patients in this year and that most of them had tumours as well as other eye complications.

“I am appealing to all of those who want to be helped to use this chance and come to Herona Hospital to see that the problem of the eyes can be sorted out at a free cost,” Ssekitoleko said. 

According to the World Health Organization report of 2018, Uganda still has a challenge of eye problems with 14.8% of the population grappling with defects.

Among these, 30% suffer from conjunctivochalasis and Uganda will join the rest of the world to celebrate World Sight Day which will be celebrated on October 13 under the theme Love Your Eyes.