Agege community benefit from Rotary club eye test, screening project

Residents of Orile Agege benefitted from the project, disease prevention and treatment, one of the seven areas of Rotary International focus, organised by Rotary Club of Agege, which featured eye screening/test, cataract tests and treatment as well as giving out of free glasses.

According to the changemaker President of the Club, Rotarian Abiodun Bello, the project was a district grant project which costs a lot of money.

“The response is tremendous and the people have been co-operating such that everything has been moving on in an orderly manner.

“We know that the community has been waiting for what is an annual programme of the club and this venue is just one of the locations for the project.

“We are doing what we know how to do best, which is assisting the less privilege, hence this response and to buttress our commitment, we have our two past district governors in our midst, in the persons of PDG Somo Omoniyi and PDG Dele Balogun, who are also coordinating to ensure everything goes on smoothly.

“We are targeting between 150 and 200 beneficiaries whose eyes will be tested. We have 150 pare of glasses for those who will need them and in case we have more people, we will order for more. We will also administer drugs to those who need them,” he said.

Bello added that for those that have cataract, they would be operated without any cost.

He described the project as one of the star projects while operation of cataracts is the actual star project as the excitement is always there for those who thought they have lost their eyes to start seeing their beloved ones again.

Doctor Fatai Oluyadi, who is the medical expert coordinating the project said it is necessary that from age 40, people should go for eye check regularly so that if there is detection of cataract or glaucoma in any of the eyes, they would be treated immediately, adding that if glaucoma is detected late, the victim may suffer permanent blindness.

He also advised parents that if their children complain of not seeing the board very well or are having headache when they are reading, they should be taken for treatment and their eyes checked. He also hinged the general symptom of cataract on inability to see from a distance and if not immediately treated, it may lead to inability to see things within the short distance.

Oluyadi, who said using eye glasses is not a disease if one cannot read well, also disclosed that children type of cataract as congenial which can occur during pregnancy.

Project Director, Rotarian Olufemi Erinle said the programme was successful, judging by the turn out of beneficiaries while the incoming President, Rotarian Michael Ajibade, said the cost of the project may run to millions of naira.
A beneficiary, Bamgbade Gbenga Emmanuel commended Rotary Club of Agege for the project and described it as fantastic.