Constant slaps capable of causing blurry vision, blindness-Experts

On Feb 27, 2024

Medical experts have warned that slap, a common form of punishment or discipline used by parents to correct children can cause blurry vision or blindness. They explained that slapping can also cause damage to the retina, the part of the eye that processes light and sends visual information to the brain. Speaking exclusively with newsmen, the physicians said the retina is a very delicate structure, and not designed to withstand any type of force.

An optometrist at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Dr Joseph Odede said when someone constantly receives slaps to the face, it can create a macular hole in the eyes, which can lead to blindness.

He explained that a macular hole is a small gap that opens at the centre of the retina, in an area called the macula. He added that the macular is the central part of the retina, the light-sensitive film at the back of the eye.

The eyes expert stated that a macular hole can cause blurred and distorted vision in early stages and said that even when surgery is done to remove the hole, the vision can never completely return to normal.

“Constantly receiving hits to the eyes can cause a macular hole. The macular is the central part of the retina, the light-sensitive film at the back of the eye. It is responsible for central and fine-detail vision needed for tasks such as reading. In the early stages, a macular hole can cause blurred and distorted vision. Straight lines may look wavy or bowed, and you may have trouble reading small print. After a while, you may see a small black patch or a missing patch in the centre of your vision. You won’t feel any pain and the condition doesn’t lead to total loss of sight. Surgery is usually needed to repair the hole. The surgery is often successful, but vision will never completely return to normal. That’s why you must be cautious when you receive or watch others receive a slap or punch to the face,” he advised.

He added that slapping children in the face can also cause intraocular lens dislocation, intraocular muscle dislocation, strabismus, retinal detachment, traumatic cataracts, and secondary glaucoma, among others

“A macular hole occurs as a result of a vitreomacular traction. The vitreous jelly in the middle of your eye starts to pull away from the retina and macula at the back of the eye. If some of the vitreous jelly remains attached, it can lead to a macular hole. Other risk factors associated with a macular hole include retinal detachment, severe injury to the eye, slightly long-sighted (hyperopic), short-sighted (myopic), and persistent swelling of the central retina (cystoid macular oedema).”

Speaking also on the dangers of slaps, an opthalmologist at the Federal Medical Centre, Idi-Aba, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Dr. Opeyemi Ajayi said while some parents may think that slapping is a harmless way to discipline their children, researchers have shown that it can have very serious consequences.

He noted that repeated trauma to the eye can damage the retina, the light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye, pointing out that this can lead to vision loss and, in some cases, complete blindness.

He further explained that damage caused by a slap can be similar to that caused by a punch, and warned that even a single slap can cause long-term problems.

Ajayi added, “The impact of the slap can damage the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. This can cause several problems, including blurred vision, floaters, and even complete blindness. Also, the force of the slap can cause the blood vessels in the eye to burst, leading to bleeding in the eye. This can cause several problems, including swelling and inflammation. The impact can also cause the eye to become displaced, leading to problems with the optic nerve. All of these factors can lead to a variety of problems, including partial or complete blindness. The best way to prevent eye damage from a slap is to avoid being slapped in the first place.”

A study conducted by researchers in 2010 at Harvard University and published in the journal, Paediatrics, found that children who were slapped are more likely to have behavioural problems such as aggression and anger.

The study noted that they are also more likely to have mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety. Also, they are more likely to have problems with school achievement and trouble with sustaining relationships.

PUNCH/Wumi