Hunger protest: Large exposure to tear gas may cause blindness, ophthalmologists warn

Large-scale exposure to tear gas has been linked to a risk of temporary blindness and other eye problems that, if unchecked, might result in permanent blindness, according to eye doctors.

They also mentioned that when exposed to tear gas, those without protective gear and clothing ran the danger of developing conjunctivitis and corneal damage.

Those who were exposed to tear gas were urged by the ophthalmologists to immediately wipe their eyes and other damaged body parts with water.

Following a 10-day protest that started on August 1st and was marred by security personnel using tear gas to scatter protestors, the experts have issued a warning and advice.

Many Nigerians in many states of the federation have shown their disapproval of the current economic hardship with placards and shouts as part of the #Endbadgovernance and #Hungerprotests.

However, President Bola Tinubu instructed demonstrators and organisers to call off any further protests and provide space for communication in a speech to the nation on Sunday.

Mostly used by police enforcement, tear gas is a riot control tool that temporarily restrains individuals by stinging their eyes, mouths, throats, lungs, and skin.

The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention state that prolonged or high-dose exposure to tear gas can result in blindness, glaucoma, and respiratory collapse, which can be fatal.

Afekhide Omoti, an ophthalmology professor at the University of Benin in Edo State, said that prolonged exposure to tear gas in an enclosed environment could cause blindness.

He, however, noted that the risk of blindness was reduced if the tear gas was used in an open environment.

The Chairman of the National Eye Health Committee said, “In the normal circumstances where tear gas is used in an open environment, it will not cause blindness.

“However, if there is prolonged exposure in a closed environment, it is possible that tear gas can cause blindness,” he said.

The researcher on Glaucoma and Anterior Segment Disorders further noted that physical exertion, such as running after contact with tear gas, makes the affected persons more susceptible to severe symptoms.

Omoti said, “As far as blindness is concerned, large doses may cause temporary blindness. However, in very unusual circumstances, and depending on the delivery system, more prolonged damage can occur. Explosive systems, particularly those used in the military, may cause thermal, chemical, and physical damage due to the blast. If left untreated, it can cause permanent blindness. But this is not the usual type used by the anti-riot police.”

The researcher on Glaucoma and Anterior Segment Disorders further noted that tear gas might worsen the conditions of persons with corneal problems but had no effect on those with cataracts and glaucoma.

He added, “Depending on the specific chemical agent used in the tear gas and the mode of delivery, tear gas can cause a variety of eye defects which include mild features such as blepharospasm, conjunctivitis and superficial keratitis.

“More severe complications which are very unlikely include corneal stromal opacities, corneal neovascularisation, neurotrophic keratopathy, conjunctival necrosis, and pseudopterygium. These are all problems with the cornea and conjunctiva, the surface structures of the eye.

“Ordinarily, those with glaucoma should not be at higher risk of blindness from tear gas use. However, if the explosive variety is used, and as I said earlier, this is not the usual type used in our civilian crowd control, then the physical effects may increase the intraocular pressure and worsen the glaucoma or even theoretically cause blindness in terminal stages. But I must again reiterate that this is not likely.”

The ophthalmologist asserted that if these eye defects were untreated, it could cause possible complications, which could lead to blindness.
"Untreated complications such as corneal neovascularisation, stromal thinning, ulceration, infection, and perforation can result in blindness, especially in cases that escalate quickly." Others include physical consequences of the explosion that are not typically used in civilian crowd control, such as secondary glaucoma, cataract formation, vitreous haemorrhage, and traumatic optic neuropathy, according to Omoti.

Furthermore, Dr. Abiola Oyeleye, the President of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria, said that tear gas damages people's eyes and skin when it comes into contact with them. It also affects the lining of the mouth, nose, chest, lungs, and respiratory system when inhaled.

The physician highlighted that eye damage and blindness could result from direct tear gas exposure to the eyes.

"So if we are specific now about the eyes, what it does is it irritates the eye, and anything that irritates the eye causes tears, and that's where the name tear gas comes from," stated the medical director of the Eye Doctors Group of Clinics.

"The name 'tear gas' comes from this process: the eye tells the brain that something is bothering it, and the brain then tells the tear glands to send tears to the eye. As a result, the tears are produced in response to the agent that caused the irritation."

He went on, "It can penetrate the eye and harm the structures within if it gets directly into the eye. The cornea, which is transparent and located in the middle of the eye, is the next outermost structure in the eye after the conjunctiva, which is the clear portion of the eye covering the white of the eye. Hence, tear gas can cause damage to the cornea, which serves as the eye's protective barrier.

Tear gas can irritate the cornea, which can lead to corneal scarring and blindness. Tear gas has the potential to permeate into other areas of the eyes and result in further issues. It may only irritate the area somewhat at times, or it may penetrate and result in blindness because of damage to some of the structures of the eye.”

The ophthalmologist further stated that if a more toxic or expired tear gas is used and absorbed in the eye, the damage could be exacerbated.

Oyeleye noted that prolonged exposure to tear gas in individuals with pre-existing eye conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma could aggravate their conditions.

“It can irritate and damage the inside of the eye, causing inflammation of the eye, inflammation could make glaucoma worse and it can also make cataracts get worse. But these are when it’s a serious dose you get, when it’s quite serious, that’s when you have things like that. But the common things you have is just irritation of the surface of the eye, which can be washed off, but you can get severe ones and have more problems,” he said.

He urged protesters to wear protective clothing to minimise the effects of tear gas on their eyes, skin, and respiratory system.

Oyeleye advised, “Whoever is going to be on the other side of it should try and cover most of their body as much as possible, wear goggles and in case they are sprayed, let them go and look for water to wash the places of impact, it’s important.”

The eye doctor added that artificial tear drops could be applied to completely wash off the substance to prevent damage to the eyes.

“Don’t wait till you go to the hospital to do it, what you do within the first one or two minutes is more important than what would be done in the hospital. You might still need to go to the hospital, but the most important thing is immediate irrigation of the eye,” Oyeleye said.

The ophthalmologist advised those offering aid to individuals exposed to tear gas to protect themselves, as they could also be affected and experience similar reactions.