From Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) has encouraged Nigerians to undergo periodic eye examinations as being done for other parts of the body for the complete well being of individual.
NOA President Dr Chimeziri Anderson gave the advice in Abuja, on Thursday, at an event to mark the 2023 World Sight Day, with the theme “love your eyes at work”.
He registered his discontent with some individuals who pay little or no attention to the eye, only to report to the clinics for medical attention when things have deteriorated.
He said: “Our eyes connect us to the world, thus allowing us to witness its beauty, experience its wonders, and cherish the moments that matter most. But to truly love our eyes means more than just appreciating the colours and sights around us. It means taking proactive steps to protect and care for our vision.”
He recommended a regular eye checkups insisting that, “just as we care for our overall health, regular eye checkups should be a priority. Early detection of eye conditions can make a significant difference in preserving our vision. Moreover, some chronic diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure and others can be detected while doing eye examination.
“Eye safety is also very important. We need to protect our eyes from injuries by wearing appropriate safety gear when at work, outdoor events or riding motorbike. Children should avoid late morning sun rays because it’s highest in harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiations.
“In addition to that, is the issue of healthy lifestyle. People must maintain a balanced diet rich in eye-friendly nutrients, like green vegetables, carrots and other fruits, and also stay active and exercise daily by trekking some distances, dancing, and farm exercise which must be early morning and late afternoon to protect the eyes from harmful UV rays and prevent cataract incidences.”
The NOA President also emphasized the importance of discussing eye health with family, friends, and colleagues.
“Encourage them to prioritize regular eye examinations, wear their glasses regularly to optimize their vision because the brain functions well when vision is very adequate.
He maintained that glasses do not reduce the size of eye ball, but the magnification characteristics nature of the lenses that makes the eye ball and ocular adnexa look smaller or bigger.
He challenged drivers to show responsibility by wearing their prescription lenses regularly and properly, insisting that a driver who wear his glasses regularly and properly is more responsible than those who hide their visual impairment.
Dr Anderson, however, advocated stronger collaborations with the Federal Ministry of Health, National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) and the Nigerian Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) to drive the initiative of improve eye care services to Nigerians.
He said: “By working together, we can ensure that the eye tests and treatment are integrated into the services covered by HMOs and supported by NHIA, thus making them accessible and affordable for a broader population.”
He promised that NOA will continue to reach out on advocacy visits to policy makers and community leaders to make more funds available for eye care, and to recognize the need to deploy eye care professionals to underserved communities and regions.
“Until then, remember that the eyes are the windows to the soul, love them and ensure they continue to see the beauty that surrounds us.”