As World Sight Day approaches on October 10, 2024, Chairperson of the Nigerian Optometric Association, Lagos State Chapter, Dr. Gloria Okoekhian-Ogulu, have raised alarm over the over 450 million children worldwide suffer from eye conditions, while calling for urgent action by the government to protect Nigerian children from avoidable blindness. World Sight Day is celebrated every second Thursday in October and serves as a platform to promote global awareness on vision care.
This year’s event aims to inspire collective action to ensure healthy vision for all children worldwide. With the goal of raising awareness about the importance of children’s eye health, optometrists and eye care practitioners are calling on parents, guardians, caregivers, Okoekhian-Ogulu emphasized the importance of good eyesight in a child’s overall development, stating that vision plays a critical role in learning, social interaction, and growth. “Good eyesight is vital for children as it helps them learn, grow, and interact with their peers.
The eye is the window through which we can see the world,” Okoekhian-Ogulu told LEADERSHIP. Globally, many of the 450 million affected children suffer from uncorrected refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, which can hinder educational progress but are easily treatable with prescription glasses. However, Okoekhian-Ogulu highlighted the persistent stigma surrounding the use of glasses and misinformation among parents, which can prevent timely interve.