The Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau has examined 33,884 people for eye ailments, treated 31,152 and carried out 1,811 eye surgeries in two years as part of efforts to prevent avoidable blindness in the state.

The Bureau’s Administrator, Dr Betty Emeka Obasi, disclosed this after activities marking the 2026 World Sight Day, stressing the importance of regular eye examinations for early detection and treatment of eye conditions.

She said the Bureau currently operates 25 eye clinics and vision centres across Abia State’s 17 local government areas, providing residents with access to eye care services.

As part of this year’s World Sight Day celebration, the Bureau organised street-to-street awareness campaigns and free eye screening for drivers and passengers at the Professor Nnenna Oti Bus Terminal in Umuahia. The campaign was held under the theme, “Safe Eyes, Safe Roads, Safe Lives.”

The exercise was organised in collaboration with the Abia State Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the state Ministries of Health and Transport. The commissioners overseeing the ministries, Professor Enoch Uche and Dr Chimezie Ukaegbu, respectively, attended the event.

Obasi explained that the bus terminal was selected because thousands of commuters and commercial drivers use the facility daily, making it an effective location to reach a large number of people with eye care services and safety messages.

She urged commercial drivers, commuters and other members of the public to take advantage of the free screening and seek examination and treatment from qualified eye care professionals rather than quacks.

According to her, impaired vision can prevent drivers from reading road signs, judging distances accurately and identifying pedestrians, particularly in areas with poor visibility, thereby increasing the risk of road accidents.

“It takes only a few minutes to do this test and take the necessary steps to protect their eyes and sight, as well as those of their passengers, especially since the service is provided free of charge,” she said.

The administrator expressed concern about the activities of unqualified practitioners in eye care, as well as the practice of self-medication and treatment without professional guidance. She advised the public against such practices, warning that damage to the eyes could result in permanent vision loss.

Obasi cited a national blindness survey indicating that 84 per cent of blindness among adults aged 40 and above was avoidable through appropriate interventions and timely care.

She also noted that global estimates put the number of people living with vision loss at 1.1 billion in 2020, with the figure projected to rise to 1.8 billion by 2050 if more effective preventive measures were not implemented.

Speaking at the event, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, represented by his deputy, Chief Ikechukwu Emetu, urged drivers and residents to take responsibility for their eye health by undergoing regular examinations rather than neglecting their sight.

Otti stressed that good eyesight was an essential professional requirement for drivers, given the critical role vision plays in road safety.

He urged drivers to comply with the Safe Driver Pledge, which promotes regular eye examinations and responsible driving, noting that protecting eyesight was important not only for drivers but also for passengers and other road users.

The campaign formed part of efforts to raise awareness about preventable blindness and encourage residents to seek timely eye care, particularly among people whose occupations require good vision.