Janet Ogundepo Eye specialists have warned that large exposure to tear gas could cause temporary blindness and other eye complications, which if left untreated could lead to permanent blindness. They also noted that people without protective clothes and devices were at risk of cornea injuries and conjunctivitis when exposed to tear gas. The ophthalmologists advised those exposed to tear gas to quickly rinse their eyes and affected body parts with water.
The experts’ warning and advice comes on the heels of the 10-day protest that began on August 1st and had been marred with security agents firing tear gas to disperse protesters. Under the #Endbadgovernance and #Hungerprotests, several Nigerians in several states of the federation, have through placards and chants demonstrated their displeasure with the current economic hardship. But the President, Bola Tinubu, in an address to the nation on Sunday, told protesters and the organisers to suspend any further protest and create room for dialogue.
Tear gas is a riot control agent mostly used by law enforcement agents that temporarily constrain people by irritating the eyes, mouth, throat, lungs, and skin. According to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, long-lasting exposure or exposure to a large dose of tear gas may cause blindness, glaucoma and respiratory failure possibly resulting in death Prof. Afekhide Omoti Speaking with PUNCH Healthwise, a professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Benin, Edo State, Afek.