Members of the Nigerian Optometric Association have called on federal, state and local governments, as well as public spirited individuals in the country, to help subsidise costs of eye equipment and treatment to make eye care services affordable to all Nigerians.
NOA made the call during its National Delegates Congress/Glaucoma Summit at Hilton Leisure Resorts and Hotels, Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Tuesday.
At the summit, themed: ‘Glaucoma, the Silent Thief of Sight,’ the association also re-launched ‘My-Sight-My-Right’ initiative, which it described as its corporate social responsibility initiative, targeted at providing free eye care services for over 10 million Nigerian school children between the ages of five and 15.
National President of the association, Dr Anderson Chimeziri, Public Relations Officer, Dr Okechukwu Egboluche and Anambra State Chairman of the association, Dr Chidiebere Ezeanowai, in their separate speeches, disclosed that they were also using the programme to mark International Optometry Day.
Chimeziri, in his speech, said due to the high cost of importing eye equipment, the cost for eye treatment has gone up, but if governments can subsidise the equipment, remove import duty on eye equipment and equip public health facilities, employ more optometrists, eye care would be more affordable for the people.
He said, “This summit is a tripartite event, which includes glaucoma awareness in observance of ‘World Glaucoma Week.’ Optometric activities, in observance of ‘World Optometry Week’ and the National Delegates Meeting, where we deliberate on ways to enhance optometric practices, as well as improve on welfare of our members in the health sector.
“In this event, we also launched two important projects – the maiden edition of our newsletter magazine, ‘Eye Connect,’ and the re-launching of NOA initiative for children, ‘My Sight My Right.’
“’My Sight My Right’ is a corporate social responsibility and eye health promotion drive of NOA. We are targeting about 10 million children because they are vulnerable population, because they are often not in the control of their eye healthcare choices.
“Many children do not have health insurance and their complaints may not be prioritised by parents/guardians due to financial constraints or lack of adequate awareness.
“Most eye conditions become chronic if failed to be detected and managed early. Children are the future of any nation and graduate to be the productive population of any nation. Ensuring optimum eye health among children is crucial for their education, productivity and social well-being.
“Vision problems can contribute to school dropouts, juvenile delinquency, redundancy and other associated societal issues, making it essential to provide children with comprehensive eye care services.”
Anambra State NOA Chairman, Dr Chidiebere Ezeanowai, in his address, said the essence of the summit theme, ‘Glaucoma, the Silent Thief of Sight’ was because more awareness was needed to let people understand the need for regular eye check, adding that glaucoma has nearly no symptoms until it gets to its final stages.
In her keynote address, the National Coordinator, Eye Health, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Abuja, Dr Oteri Eme Okolo, said glaucoma was predominant in sub-Saharan Africa and more among Igbos in the South-East.
He said, “Glaucoma risk factors include black race, especially Igbo ethnicity, family history, above 40 years, exposure to trauma, male gender, unmarried state, Intraocular Pressing, diabetes, high blood pressure, refractive errors, direct and indirect costs associated with seeking care and treatment.”
A former Head of Service, Anambra State, and chairman of the occasion, Harry Udu, urged researchers to discover why glaucoma is prevalent among Igbos and create awareness on preventive measures.