Chinedum Elekwachi
The Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) Anambra State Chapter has offered free medical tests, drugs and glasses to over 500 persons within Awka and Onitsha metropolises.
The association also embarked on community, schools, Correctional Centers and mass media advocacy as part of activities marking the 2025 world to celebrate World Sight Day.
Speaking at Mary Mother of Christ Compassionate Home of the Needy and Abandoned, Uguta Road,Onitsha, an Optometrist, Dr. Chizobam Azubuike urged residents to love their eyes by protecting and always taking care of their eyes to avoid loss of sight.
He said, “Earlier this morning, I spoke to the pupils of Good Shepherd Nursery and Primary School telling them things about eye health.
“I told them how to love their eyes according to the 2025 theme of WSD celebration, ‘Love your eyes Action: Vision for everyone’. I told them how to play carefully and avoid harming their eyes or that of their playmates.
“When they notice certain discharge, itching, pains, refractive errors in the eyes, they should report to their teachers, parents and see any of the four personnel in Eye care management – Optometrist, Opthalmologist, Optician, Opthalmic Nurse.
Need to be watchful
“Children should not be hushed whenever they complain about their eyes. Adults should be watchful over themselves and the children around them” she quipped.
Earlier, State Chairman NOA, Dr. Chidiebere Ezeanowai advised against self medication, walking under the scorching sun, prolonged watching of television, reading or use of electronic devices like smart phones, tablets or computers without preventive measures.
“How you take care of yourself determines how you love or take care of your eyes. You love your eyes by taking care of them. Avoid harmful habits or ingesting unhealthy substances.
“Don’t keep viewing phone,TV, books for an interrupted long period of time because the eye is a very sensitive organ. Myopia is on the increase because of constant use of tablets, phone.
“Give your eyes some breaks to avoid strain or ache of the eye. A normal eye has a number of times you should blink to avoid drying of the eyes.
“Apply the 20:20:20 rule. Read 20 secs, look at a distance of 20 meters away for about 20 secs away from your books or devices and continue reading.
“Visit an optometrist for routine eye check at least once or twice a year and any other time the need arises.
Self-medication destructive
“Avoid self-meditation. Ensure you get a doctor’s prescription before treatment or before buying drugs from a patent medicine store.
“For instance, taking Chloramphenicol tablet during pregnancy and breast feeding could affect formation of children in the womb and also affect the eyes of the unborn child or new born.
“Eye pain could be caused by refractive errors, congenital factors, long exposure to sun, tablet, computer, occupational hazards, etc. Despite several forms of medication some pains doesn’t require drugs but management and professional advice while some require only glasses.
“Exposure to Ultra violent Sunlight could in the long run develop cataract. Glaucoma is caused when the optic nerve dies because of pressure on the eye, your eyes can be open without the brain interpreting it.
“The eyes need greenish vegetables and fruits like banana ,carrots, fruits with yellowish appearance, ugiri, paw paw, they have good carrotine content.
“Take care of your glasses. Scratches on lenses can result to eye pain, don’t pull out your glasses with one hand it will cause expansion of the frame.
Administrator of the Compassionate Home, Manuelle Onyenagwa thanked NOA for offering free eye check, diagnoses, treatment, glasses, drugs to the children, elderly, postulants and clients who turned out to avail themselves of the exercise.
Highlights of the week which held from 6th to 12th October 2025 included inauguration of State Chapter members into NOA National Committees, advocacy visits across the state including seminar for pregnant women at the Maternity Clinic of Teaching Hospital Awka.
Others were Seminars at various primary and secondary schools, Primary healthcare centers, Nigerian Correctional services centers across the State, free Vision Screening at Onitsha Motherless babies homes and at Nigerian Correctional services centers.
There were also mounting of vision corridors, walk for sight across the state, Special Hangout for NOA Members in Anambra State and a thanksgiving service.
