Sightsavers, in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, has launched a $75 million Vision Initiative to tackle untreated vision impairment in low- and middle-income countries, including Nigeria.
The Country Director of Sightsavers Nigeria, Professor Joy Shua’ibu, announced the partnership in Abuja on Thursday during the commemoration of World Sight Day, themed “Love Your Eyes.”
She said the initiative aims to improve eye health services through collaboration with the Ministries of Health and Education by training health workers and teachers in basic eye health screening, conducting eye examinations, providing eyeglasses, and carrying out outreach programmes in communities, schools, and workplaces.
According to her, the Vision Initiative targets screening 11.5 million people, distributing nearly seven million pairs of eyeglasses, and performing cataract surgeries to restore sight to 250,000 individuals across Nigeria and other beneficiary countries.
“Making eye care a priority will be transformational for people, communities, and nations. Good eye health can reduce inequities, get more children in school, and enable more adults to work. Access to glasses and cataract surgery will boost learning and economic productivity,” she said.
The launch coincided with World Sight Day on October 9, underscoring the need for renewed global efforts to combat avoidable vision impairment.
Professor Shua’ibu highlighted that more than one billion people worldwide suffer from untreated or preventable vision impairment, significantly hindering progress toward the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
She noted that investing in eye care offers strong economic benefits, citing research showing that addressing preventable vision impairment by 2030 could return about $2.45 billion to Nigeria’s economy. Interventions such as cataract surgery, she added, could yield an estimated return of $28 for every dollar spent.
“We hope Bloomberg Philanthropies’ investment will spur additional global and national commitments. We need leadership and partnerships to make avoidable vision impairment truly avoidable,” she said.
The initiative aligns with Sightsavers’ ongoing efforts to expand access to vision and eye care services and supports the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)’s call to make eye care a global health and development priority.
Earlier, the pioneer Director-General of the National Senior Citizens Centre, Dr. Emem Omokaro, described vision loss as a crisis that significantly affects older persons.
She noted that visual impairment impacts daily living activities such as eating, dressing, and hygiene, leading to loss of independence and weakened immunity.
“Seventy per cent of older adults aged 60 to 64 are still economically active, and about half live with disabilities. When their vision is impaired, it affects their ability to support themselves and live independently,” she said.
Omokaro called for the integration of healthcare, social protection, and health insurance to ensure older persons live healthier, more dignified lives.
