Martins Ifijeh
As Nigerians joined the rest of the world to mark this year’s World Sight Day, the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), Optometrist and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN) and the Federal Road Safety Corp (FRSC) have called for regular eye examination, at least once a year, to enable them prevent various issues affecting the eyes.
Stating this during a two-day sensitisation programme to commemorate the World Sight Day, the Chairman of NOA, Lagos Branch, Dr. Ogechi Nwokedi said the eyes are the windows to the soul, hence the need to take special care of them.
“People often neglect the fact that the eyes need optimal care because there could be some issues which often do not come with signs and symptoms. It is better to tackle them early, as prevention is better than cure,” she said.
According to her, glaucoma was one of the eye diseases that does not present symptoms, as the damage it causes were irreversible and could lead to irreversible blindness.
The Assistant Registrar, ODORBN, Dr. Igbo Okafor called on unprofessionals claiming to be opticians to desist from practising, dispensing and carrying out eye test, as the Board will intensify its step in getting rid of them.
“Every Nigerian has the right to ask an optician or optometrist for his or her practicing license, as this will also help in reducing quackery. Also, there is a difference between an optician, optometrist, ophthalmologist and opthalmic nurses, and they have their different roles.”
Also lending her voice, the Deputy Route Commander and Acting Sector Public Education Officer, FRSC, Mrs. Olabisi Sonusi called on drivers to engage in regular eye check, as this could mitigate the incidence of road traffic accidents across the state.
The two-day sensitisation event involved a road show and a free eye check for residents of the state. Those who were diagnosed with one form of eye issue or the other were either given eye glasses free of charge or were referred for further tests at a registered optometric hospital.
A beneficiary of the free eye screening and eye glasses, Mr. Christian Okoro, thanked the organisers of the sensitisation programme, and called on government and stakeholders to engage in the exercise more often.
