Over a billion people may go blind worldwide by 2025, according to a Friday assertion made by the Nigerian Optometric Association, NOA, due to illiteracy and limited access to medical care.
The Association expressed their concern over the dire status of primary healthcare facilities in Nigeria by
The Association lamented the poor condition of basic healthcare facilities in Nigeria in a statement following its 46th National Conference in Abakaliki.
Dr. Anderson Chimeziri, President of the Association, and Dr. Victor Aliche, National Secretary, cited a lack of access to healthcare as one of the main causes of vision impairment globally in a communiqué.
It was acknowledged that one of the main duties of the government is to protect the welfare of its people, but it also voiced sadness over the fact that certain equipment required for the provision of medical services is grossly overcharged by customs.
Insufficient outdoor and prolonged near work activities, such as using computers, phones, TVs, laptops, and eye pads, are major contributors to vision issues, according to the Association, which also noted that the impending blindness will affect productivity, national growth, and family life if adequate interventions are not made.
According to eye experts, a single comprehensive eye exam performed by an optometrist can result in a variety of positive outcomes, including the identification of eye and health issues like glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other disorders that had gone undiagnosed.
Earlier in his speech, Dr. Obinna Awiaka, the former president of the association, expressed concerns about the economy and security situation in the nation as well as the rising number of violent clashes. He urged the government to take swifter action to address both the immediate and root causes of the issues.
