WORLD SIGHT DAY: OPTOMETRIST CAUTIONS AGAINST PATRONIZING QUACKS
REPORTER: CHIZOBA OPARA
An optometrist, Dr. Amarachi Opara, has advocated regular eye check for Nigerians at least once yearly for early prevention and treatment of any underlying vision related problems.
Dr. Opara, who is the state Chairman, Women Optometrists in Nigeria, made the call during this year’s world sight day in Owerri Imo State.
She described the vision and eyesight of every human as the largest portal of entry of information to the brain and should be properly preserved to perform at its optimum.
Dr. Opara outlined different causes of vision impairment.
They included unattended retractive error, cataract, glaucoma, eye infection, diabetic retinopathy and age related vision challenges.
She said all those could be prevented or addressed through proper awareness and timely treatment.
“Eye care cases most times do not show symptoms at early stage, which makes it imperative for people to regularly access eye care services to avert future sight problem,” Dr. Opara said.
Another eye expert, Dr. Oluchi Isiodu, noted with concern that people patronised quacks to treat eye related issues and wondered why people would play with such delicate organ.
“Any eye issue affects both the lifestyle, family and career of the individual,” Dr. Isiodu stated.
Dr. Isiodu noted that visual impairments could affect people of all ages and encouraged government and individuals to prioritise eye health to promote safety and productivity.
World sight day, which was first established in 1998, is an annual event aimed at highlighting the devastating effects of visual problems and make high quality eye care services accessible to everyone.
The theme of the 2023 event is “Love your eyes at work.”
EDITED BY CHUKWUBUIKE MADU
