Man, 60, regains sight after Ikorodu Diamond Club sponsored cataract operation

As part of her humanitarian and community services, the Ikorodu Diamond Lions Club recently financed cataract operation, among other laudable projects.

The beneficiary was Mr. Isaac Babasola, and the operation was perfomed at Ajayi Medical Centre in Ikorodu.

The Club President Lion Prince Adewale Michael explained that Mr. Babasola was staying alone, getting bored while his health was deteriorating. The Club’s attention was called upon and it swiftly respond to finance the operation.

Prince Adewale Michael, who was full of praises for the Ajayi Medical Centre’s team, said the operation was successful and was grateful to God that Mr. Babasola can now see properly again after the operation. He further stated that medics discover the patient had cataract on both eyes and that the club would not relent in her effort at financing further operation on the second eye as well.

Dr (Mrs.) Olayinka Ajayi, who conducted the operation shed more light on Cataract, saying that Mr. Babasola had spinal cataract, an age-related cataract, common among elderly ones above 60 years of age. She also stressed that cataract could be caused by a number of factors which include but not limited to advance in age, diabetes, injury to the eyes, trauma, exposure to radiation & films. She stated further that it was not hereditary but could be described as a familiar illness. Another type, she said, was congenital cataract commonly found in children which might have stemmed from birth.

‘‘Cataract is curable, however, the earlier it is detected, the better, so that it’s not allowed to mature and start causing pressure problem for the eyes”, she said.

Dr (Mrs.) Ajayi further stressed that Cataract, although preventable, was a major cause of blindness. She advised that once one attained the age of 40years,one should contact one’s optician and have one’s eyes tested once in a year, while those who have family history of Glaucoma should have theirs tested at least twice a year. She concluded that not less than 65% of blindness by elders was caused by cataract. As in Mr. Babasola’s operation, she said it was spinal cataract which is associated with age and it was successfully carried out and the patient could now see properly with the eye.

“Eyes heal by individual variations. If there is no complications to the retina, from the following day, the patient can start seeing. Occasionally, patients can be advised to wear glasses for about 6 weeks”, she said.

The patient Mr. Isaac Babasola who lives along Oba Omolaja Road, Igbogbo, Ikorodu was full of praises to the Club.

“He was just singing praises for the club and kept offering prayers for the club for their support. He said at a stage, he thought he was not going to see again, adding that after the operation, he could now see better and properly”, Adewale Michael said.

Ikorodu Diamond Lions Club has consistently performed humanitarian service activities, from the youth to the elderly, built libraries, provided toilet, carried out free diabetes checks as well as HIV screening amongst others humanitarian serves in line with the tenets of the Lions Club International project plans and activities targets as the organization geared towards their 100 years of service next year.

The Project Director Lion Adeyinka Oyenuga, said proper SWOT analysis and the patient was just the ideal patient who really needs the operation urgently not to lose his sight, and was grateful to God that the operation was successful.