…..As experts call for special care for the eye
Over 1,000 people suffering from eye problems have benefitted from the free eye treatment program organised by the Enugu state government in collaboration with the Optometric Association of Nigeria , just as eye experts have advised members of the public to always take good care of their eyes.
The chairperson of the Optometric Association in Enugu State branch, Dr. Ufoma Nwachukwu, and a medical.personel and aide to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Nurse Chinaza Akpa, gave the advice while speaking with Newsmen during a medical outreach program held in Owo, Nkanu East local government area of Enugu state to commemorate the 2025 World Sights Day. celebration.
Pix: Dr. Nwachukwu
Dr Nwachukwu said the World Sights Day is a Day set aside to enlighten people on the need for them to take care of their eyes.. “You will agree with me that if your eyes shut down, literally everything about your life shut down. So it’s a day we draw the attention of people because sometimes we see patients that say they are too busy at their places of work to even go for eye check.But if that eye closes, they won’t be able to walk either.
” So World Sights Day is a day we celebrate issues about the eye. It’s actually the second Thursday of every October. It was held last week and we are still in the mood of the celebration.”
The chairperson said this year’s theme is “Love Your Eyes, Vision for All”.She added that the program was organised by the Nigerian Optometric Association , Enugu State, in collaboration with the Enugu state government to support families who have eye problems.
“So, we are here to support both the children, the men, the women, the adults and their families. As of yesterday, we had about 800 persons already registered. So , by now, we should be looking at about a thousand. We are impressed. Very overwhelmed that people turned out very well.
Speaking on partnership, Dr Nwachuikwu, expressed gratitude to the governor of Enugu State, Dr Peter Mbah for granting them the sponsorship.
‘He’s the one taking care of the free glasses, the free drugs and then we’re also optometric partnering with some other non- organisations.We have some nurses here that are also helping us.
“Last year, the theme was eye care for children”. So, we actually did free eye tests for students of government secondary school in Enugu. We gave them free glasses too. So , by next year, depending on the theme, we can reach out to others.”, she said
Dwelling on the theme of this year’s celebration and advising the members of the public, Dr Nwachukwu said, “The advice I have for the general public is ,” love your eyes. Take care of your eyes so that your eyes can take care of you because if they shut down, you cannot do any other work.”
Pix : Nurse Chinaza (L)
On her part, Nurse Chinaza, a delegate from the Office of Special Adviser to the Governor on Health, Dr Yomi Jaiye , said the eye outreach is all about educating the people to take care of their eyes .
” So, we are here today to attend to people of the community and take care of their eyes. .We are not giving out only drugs. We are going to do test for the people that need glasses, they already have some prescriptions ,and the glasses they are going to give out to them.
“We have about 400 glasses that we are giving out freely . So in addition to the drugs, there are also the glasses The people have already received health education on how to take care of their eyes.”, she said .
One of the beneficiaries and the President General of Owo community, John Okeke , thanked the organisers and sponsors of the outreach program. .He thanked Enugu state government for sending the doctors who came take care of their eyes in the community.
Pix: John , PG, Owo community
“If you look around, you will see our people, they are checking us, giving us drugs, giving us eye glasses free. So, I am very happy to be with them.”, he said.
On his impression on the number of the people that turned out, the President General said he was happy that a lot of persons came out for the outreach. He said they were informed about it and once they got the information, the people that needed the services came out
” As soon as we had the information, everybody prepared to come. If you look around, you see people are coming. I am very happy to be here. “, he said.
He advised the beneficiaries to be taking their medications as directed . To those yet to be attended to he advised them to be patient.
*My advice is for them to have patience, go line by line. They will check you, give you eye glasses , give you drugs, so that you will be okay.He narrated the process he past through , the eye tests carried out and the medications he received. He said:
“There, they show you something to read so that you check whether you can see far or near.They will check you. After that, you have different stations that you go. After that, they will give you drugs before you go.If glasses were recommended, you will go to the other station and they will give you glasses. Am very grateful. I thank governor Mbah and I thank the medical personnel,” the President General said.
Pix: A beneficiary, Emmanuel with his glass and dru
A Beneficiary, Emmanuel Ezechi, said for sometimes he has been having eye problems and had been going to hospital and at the outreach , he was attended to ,given drugs and glasses free of charge. He thanked Governor Mbah for all his good works in Enugu state. He also thanked the Optometrists for the free treatment.
The world sights Day is an annual event celebrated all over the world on second Thursday of October. every year. It’s a day set aside to educate people on the need to care for their eyes.
Author:Maureen Ikpeama
