Demand for sun glasses has risen in Enugu, as residents come under fear of contacting conjunctivitis, an eye disease locally known as ‘Apollo’.
Conjunctivitis is a common and uncomfortable eye condition that can be caused by infections or irritants.
Checks in shops around Enugu at the weekend, showed an unprecedented number of customers, purchasing eye glasses to avoid contacting the disease.
At the Ogbete market, some of the residents, who were purchasing the glasses, said it was better to prevent the disease than to cure it.
According to them, the harmattan season has come with heavy dust that could also cause other eye problems if adequate care was not taken.
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The pain and discomfort from ‘Apollo’ can be severe for anyone to be careless over his or her eyes, they said.
Onyiye Agu, a student at one of the shops visited, said she had to buy a shade to prevent dust that could lead to ‘Apollo’.
“I need sun glasses not to contact any eye disease, because if I eventually get infected it will be terrible because nobody will help me to copy notes,” she said.
Evelyn Ofia, a civil servant, noted that some had already been infected with the eye problem adding that she was afraid of contacting same.
Ofia said it was important for everyone to have shade to protect oneself from the sun and dust or any form of eye disease.
Ifennna Egbuna, a seller at Obgete main market, said it was a boom time for their business.
“Due to dry season, which is characterised by dust and high degree of sun and sometimes ‘Apolo’, our sales have gone up,” Egbuna said.
Uche Kelechi, another seller, said that the prices were affordable adding that it was based on customers’ status, income and choice.
“In my shop, I have sun glasses ranging from N800 to N6,000, depending on customers’ choice,” Kelechi said.
Emeka Ossai, an Ophthalmologist, formerly with ECWA eye clinic, said the use of shades during the dry season was commendable.
According to Ossai, the purpose of the sun glass is to reduce the effect of the sun on the eyes and as well to reduce spread of conjunctivitis which is an airborne disease.
“Sun glasses help to reduce dust and the emission from the rays of sun, which also reduces the effect of ultra radiation of the sun.
The ophthalmologist said that it was healthy to use shades especially now that the dust had increased due to change in weather condition.
According to him, conjunctivitis is caused by bacteria and it is airborne disease which can be highly contagious.
