Optometrists organise free eye examination for pupils in Lagos
19 October 2024 |
4:27 am
The Nigerian Optometric Association has Organised free eye examination, distribution of eyeglasses and medication for school children in Lagos, with the aim to mark World Sight Day (WSD), 2024 with the theme ‘Love your eyes and children’s vision’.
The Nigerian Optometric Association has Organised free eye examination, distribution of eyeglasses and medication for school children in Lagos, with the aim to mark World Sight Day (WSD), 2024 with the theme ‘Love your eyes and children’s vision’.
The schools that benefitted from the programme included State Primary School, Oyewole, Ifelodun Primary School Oyewole, Unity Primary School, Oyewole, Progressive Primary School Oyewole and Anu Oluwapo Primary School Oyewole all in Orile Agege Local Council Development Area of Lagos State.
Speaking to journalists,, the Nigerian Optometric Association, Lagos State Chapter, Dr. Gloria Okoekhian-Ogulu, said the event was in line with the association’s desire to take eye care to the grassroots.
She explained that the event was aimed at taking eye care to indigent children in public schools. Okoekhian-Ogulu noted that World Sight Day is a global initiative of International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).
She said globally, about 450 million children worldwide have a sight condition that requires treatment. Some which are uncorrected refractive errors, which can severely impact a child’s education but can be easily improved with prescription glasses. Unfortunately, a lot of parents and even some children are not disposed to the use of glasses because they are misinformed and as a result of the stigma associated with wearing glasses.
The Optometrist stated that this year, WSD the focus is on the importance of eye care for young people. She added that as eye care practitioners, her association is championing the campaign for parents, caregivers, guardians, the government and schools to pay attention and prioritize eye health of children.
Okoekhian-Ogulu, noted that the association wants to educate and inspire children everywhere to love their eyes and pay attention to it. The eye is the window of the soul, the window through which we can see the world. Good eyesight is important in the overall development of a child as it helps the child to learn, grow, and interact freely with his/her peers.
She explained that other children have mild infections or allergic conditions that can be very well attended to and treated accordingly with eyedrops. But we cannot do this unless the child is brought in for eye examination.
She said: “Our children are the future, they need their eyes to enable them learn effectively and grow. We therefore call on everyone to join us in this campaign to ensure good eyesight and healthy vision for them”.
Okoekhian-Ogulu said there is need for all stakeholders come together to prioritize child eye health and make a difference. “As a parent, make a pledge to pay attention to your child’s eyesight, as a teacher, watch out for signs or symptoms and notify the parents. As for the government, we appeal for an enabling environment to make eye care available, accessible, and affordable”.
She said the prevalence of blindness among adults in Nigeria is 4.2 per cent for people under 40 years, 6.5 per cent for people under 50 years, it is lower than in Pakistan with 5.1 per cent for people under 40 years; 7 per cent for people under 50 years, 25 higher than in Bangladesh with 2.3 per cent for people under 40 years; 3.9 per cent under 50 years, 26 and similar to that in India with 5.34 per cent aged less than 50 years.
The Optometrist, said blindness can result from various eye conditions and diseases, and it is important to note that some causes are reversible or preventable if detected and treated early, while others may be irreversible.
She said that cataracts cause clouding of the lens in the eye, leading to blurry or dim vision. It is a common cause of blindness, especially in older adults.
Okoekhian-Ogulu, noted that glaucoma involves increased pressure within the eye, damaging the optic nerve. If left untreated, it could cause gradual vision loss and eventually lead to blindness. “Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), affects the central part of the retina (macula), resulting in a loss of central vision. It is a leading cause of vision loss in older individuals”.
The Nigerian Optometric Association Ikeja Zonal Coordinator, Dr. Efosa Airen, said the major change the association face is quackery in the profession adding that many Nigerians to still patronise road side eye doctors with out verification of the person”s qualifications as a doctor which is very bad.
He said that this attitude would lead to lost sight as many blindness today are caused by human error. “People should try to seek eye care from Optometrists because they are the only qualified for eye diseases treatment”.
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