Optometric Association Organises Glaucoma Symposium,World Optometry Week In Anambra

On Mar 24, 2024

The Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) has organised national delegates congress, glaucoma symposium and world optometry week in Anambra State, relaunching ‘My Sight My Right Initiative’ which is a corporate social responsibility program targeted at providing free eye care services for 10 million Nigerian school children.

Speaking earlier at a press briefing prior to the event in Awka, the state capital, the NOA National President, Dr Anderson Chimeziri,who disclosed that optometrists serve as primary eye care professionals and are the first point of contact for any eye-related issues, stated that approximately 80% of school learning relies on vision and 1 in 4 children struggle with learning due to undiagnosed visual issues.

“This, highlights the importance of ensuring every child has access to good vision and comprehensive eye exams.

“My Sight My Right” initiative by the Nigerian Optometric Association aims to provide free eye health services to children, addressing their vulnerability and lack of control over healthcare decisions, often due to financial constraints or lack of awareness by their parents or guardians.

“Initially launched in 2018 to commemorate the Association’s 50th anniversary, the CSR project aimed to offer free vision care to 40,000 Nigerian children aged 5-14 years. Despite the initial success, the program was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it is being relaunched with renewed vigor. syndrome.We at the Nigeria Optometric Association are committed to ideals of a Nigeria where no one is needlessly blind,” Dr Anderson said.

Presenting his speech at the occasion,Dr Anderson Chimeziri said, “In this event, we shall also launch two important projects of my adminstration;
The maiden edition of our newsletter magazine “Eye Connect” and the relaunching of the NOA initiatives for children. My Sight-My Right.
My Sight My Right is a corporate social responsibility and eye health promotion drive of Nigerian Optometric Association”.

“We are targeting children because they are a vulnerable population, often not in 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.

“We are targeting 10 million children across Nigeria to be screened and those who need glasses will get it free of charge.

“I call on all philanthropist, government agencies, donor support agencies and IDAs to come to our aid and support us make this a reality.
A total budget of 100 million naira($100,000) will be required to meet this target knowing fully well that the underserved children resides in the rural areas and villages,” Chimeziri said.

The keynote speaker National Coordinator Eye Health, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Abuja, Dr. Oteri Eme Okolo reiterated that Glaucoma was predominant in subsaharan Africa and more among Igbos in the South East.

“Glaucoma Risk factors include Black race especially Igbo ethnicity, family history,above 40years, exposure to trauma, male gender, unmarried state,Intraocular pressing (IOP), Diabetes,HBP, Refractive errors, Direct and Indirect costs associated with seeking care and treatment.

“How do you catch the thief: Awareness campaigns, patient compliance to medication, collaboration and research should continue. We cannot restore vision but Conserve vision in management of glaucoma patients. Early detection by seeing an optometrist is key to glaucoma or any treatment of eye problem,” Okolo said.

Earlier in his address, NOA Anambra State Chairman, Dr Chidiebere Ezeanowai said that the essence of Events theme – ‘Glaucoma, the Silent Thief of Sight’ was because more awareness was needed to let people understand the need for regular eye check saying that glaucoma has nearly no symptoms until it gets to its final stages.

On his part, the chairman of the occasion and former Head of Service,Anambra Stat, Barrister Harry Udu , pleaded with researchers to discover why glaucoma is prevalent among Igbos and create awareness on preventive measures.

Meanwhile, the association announced its intention to present Governor Chukwuma Soludo with a special Leadership award on security, and a recognition award for Anambra State being the only government in Nigeria to give the optometry profession its rightful place in the Ministry of Health.

NOA delegates attended the event from various parts of the country and about 1,000 Indigenes were screened for glaucoma and offered first line management and referral.