When vision loss hid bigger threat: A lecturer’s battle with brain tumour
Dr. James Oluoch, a Kenyan lecturer, shares his journey of being misdiagnosed with glaucoma and malaria before discovering he had a brain tumour. His story highlights the challenges of accessing specialized medical care and the financial burden of treatment.
Why it matters
It sheds light on the critical importance of early diagnosis and the systemic healthcare challenges faced by professionals in developing nations.
Dr James Oluoch By Charity Chigulu/HANDOUT
It began with a sudden blackout while he was teaching at Kabete Technical Training Institute in 2010.
Without warning, Dr James Oluoch lost his sight in the middle of a lesson. Alarmed students rushed to help him. After sitting quietly for a while, his vision gradually returned and he resumed teaching.
He dismissed the incident as minor and never sought medical attention.
Five years later, while lecturing in the department of business at a Christian university, it happened again.
"It took some time for me to regain my sight, even after the students took me to the lecturers' lounge," Oluoch recalls.
This time, he visited an eye specialist. After a series of tests, he was diagnosed with glaucoma. By then, he had already lost vision in his right eye, while his left eye would periodically become blurred.
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