Optometrist warns against dangerous eye health myths like use of urine and breast milk

For many Nigerians, caring for the eyes begins only when something goes wrong, but as World Sight Day 2026 is marked under the theme ‘Love Your Eyes,’ an optometrist at the Primary Healthcare Centre in Bonny Local Government of Rivers State, Dr. Mercy Ikedieze, is urging Nigerians to take eye care seriously before problems develop.

According to Dr. Ikedieze, loving one’s eyes goes beyond simply appreciating the gift of sight. It requires everyday choices that protect the eyes, particularly at a time when phones, computers and other digital devices have become part of work, education and entertainment.

One of her key recommendations is the 20-20-20 rule. She explains that people who spend long hours looking at screens should, every 20 minutes, look at something about 20 feet, or six metres away for 20 seconds. The practice, she says, helps relax the muscles of the eyes and may reduce the strain associated with prolonged screen use.

“In an era of digital innovations, there are some practices that might really be useful if you really love your eyes. One of them is practicing the 20-20-20 rule. That is, for every 20 minutes, look out for a distance of 20 feet, that's 6 meters, for 20 seconds. This really helps to relax the muscles of your eyes.”   

Dr. Ikedieze also mentions the use of blue-cut glasses. She explains that such glasses are designed to filter blue light from digital screens and may help people who experience discomfort or eye strain after prolonged screen exposure. However, she stresses that people should obtain appropriate eyewear from an optometrist rather than simply buying glasses from anywhere.

“It will be of interest to use blue-cut glasses if you're constantly on the screen. Blue-cut glasses are glasses that cut off blue rays from entering your eyes. So, there is also a strain that comes with constant system use. Most times you feel ache, you really do not know why that ache comes, it could be possibly because you are constantly on the screen.”

Another strong warning she gives is against self-medication. Dr. Ikedieze urges Nigerians to stop putting unprescribed substances or eye drops into their eyes simply because they had used them for a previous eye problem. She says eye redness, for instance, can have different causes, meaning that a medication prescribed for one episode may not be appropriate when the same symptom appears again.

“Flee away from self-medication. Avoid taking any eye medication without being recommended or prescribed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist. That you were given this particular eye drop when your eye was red does not mean that you will use it again when it turns red without being prescribed by an eye doctor. This is because there are many causes of redness of the eye. You are not supposed to go back to use that medication unless otherwise stated by your doctor.”

She particularly warns against traditional substances sometimes put into the eyes, including breast milk, urine, bitter kola and leaves, stressing that these are not eye medications and could cause further harm.

“Breast milk, urine, a lot of them, I hear a lot of things in the clinic, bitter kola, name them. Bitter kola, leaves are not eye medications. Most of these things we instill in our eyes are also acidic, and may even cause more harm than good. Please avoid all these unnecessary traditional practices that may even lead to more harm than good.”

She encourages consulting an optometrist or ophthalmologist whenever one experiences an eye problem, instead of experimenting with substances.

Knowing one’s family eye-health history is also important. She notes that having a parent or close family member with a particular eye condition does not necessarily mean that an individual will develop the same problem, but knowing such a history can help one become more conscious of possible risks and take appropriate preventive measures.

Dr. Ikedieze concludes with a striking challenge: close your eyes for five minutes. The darkness, she says, offers a brief reminder of what losing one’s sight could mean and why protecting our eyesight should not be taken for granted.