Bugiri hospital overwhelmed by rising eye disease cases

Health workers in Bugiri District are grappling with a rising number of eye disease cases linked to infections, diabetes and high blood pressure, with some patients suffering permanent vision loss, a specialist has said.

Barbara Nankwanga, an eye specialist at Bugiri General Hospital, said more than 570 patients turned up for an eye screening exercise organised by Bugiri Sugar Company, overwhelming the available specialists.

She said some patients had already developed irreversible vision problems associated with poorly managed diabetes and high blood pressure.