Top eye care doctors in Nigeria have warned people not to use breast milk or cow urine to treat eye infections. They said these practices are dangerous and can even cause blindness.
The eye doctors explained that using substances that are not medically tested can bring harmful bacteria into the eyes, make infections worse, and stop people from getting proper treatment on time.
They pointed out that breast milk is healthy for babies but not clean enough for the eyes. Cow urine is even more dangerous because it contains many harmful germs.
Dr. Festus Oshoba, a top eye specialist, said people still use these harmful remedies because of false beliefs and lack of correct information.
Dr. Oshoba shared this warning at a major eye care event—the 26th Annual Faculty of Ophthalmology Lecture—where experts discussed how to improve eye care in Nigeria.
He said these harmful practices are major problems that often make eye conditions worse, even when they could be easily treated.
Dr. Oshoba advised people with eye problems to visit certified eye doctors as soon as they notice any issue.
He strongly warned against unsafe eye treatments like putting breast milk, cow urine, or camphor into the eyes. He encouraged people to wear sunglasses or special lenses to protect their eyes from the sun and prevent damage like cataracts.
He also warned against hitting children on the face, saying even a slap can lead to bleeding inside the eye or cause blindness.
Besides staying safe, Dr. Oshoba emphasized the importance of regular eye checkups. He said early tests can help find and treat many eye problems before they become serious.
He recommended using a calendar or chart at home to test your vision every day. If you notice any change, you should see a doctor immediately.
Dr. Oshoba also talked about cultural beliefs. He said some people wrongly think eye diseases are caused by curses or spiritual attacks.
He explained that many of these cases are actually caused by medical issues like glaucoma, diabetes, or brain tumors—not magic or curses.
He also called for better eye care for people who use computers often. He encouraged workers to get regular eye tests and wear proper glasses to see better and work more efficiently.
Dr. Oshoba pointed out a serious problem—Nigeria does not have enough eye doctors. There are only 454 ophthalmologists for over 220 million people.
Professor Charles Bekibele, another top eye doctor, said that many young doctors are leaving Nigeria because of poor working conditions, making it hard to train new specialists.
He said that five years ago, there were 30 trainee doctors at University College Hospital, Ibadan, but now there are only about five. Many finish their training and leave the country, and some don’t even apply anymore.
Professor Bekibele also said that Nigeria doesn’t have modern tools like surgical simulators to train doctors. Cataract surgery, which is the main cause of blindness in Nigeria, needs proper training, but doctors don’t have the right equipment.
He compared it to training pilots without flight simulators—very risky and not ideal. He asked the government and private groups to invest in training tools and support young doctors to stay.
He said if Nigeria improves its economy, many skilled doctors might return. But for now, it’s important to invest in the doctors who are still here.
Dr. Olatunji Olowolafe, Chancellor of Ekiti State University, announced a donation of \$9,800 to help buy a surgical simulator.
He said the simulator will help train new eye doctors and make diagnoses more accurate.
Dr. Olowolafe said Nigeria needs to upgrade its training methods to global standards. With simulation labs, the country can produce excellent eye doctors who are skilled and confident. This could make Nigeria a leader in eye care and training.
He also said that if Nigeria improves its health facilities, it could attract patients from other countries and stop doctors from leaving to work abroad.
