‘Too many Nigerians are going blind without knowing it’

Doctors have raised alarm that countless Nigerians are gradually becoming blind without them knowing about it! They said that something must be done quickly to stem the high prevalence of eye diseases especially cataract. They called on the government, religious organisations, schools, firms and even the armed forces to regularly carry out eye enlightenment and […]

Doctors have raised alarm that countless Nigerians are gradually becoming blind without them knowing about it!
They said that something must be done quickly to stem the high prevalence of eye diseases especially cataract.
They called on the government, religious organisations, schools, firms and even the armed forces to regularly carry out eye enlightenment and free screening exercises to help the very poor who are the most affected.
Speaking separately two of the six eye experts from the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), an ophthalmologist, Dr. Kennedy Nwachukwu, and  the leader of the medical team, Dr Sunday Okonkwo, an optometrist said while the less privileged do not know about their status, they also do not bother about it because they don’t have financial power to handle the treatment.
The free eye test was organised by the International All Ordained Ones Fellowship, a welfare and evangelical arm of Brotherhood of the Cross and Star  for  the general public to mark her 57th anniversary.
Regular public seminar, Okonkwo said will help to cushion the effects of eye challenges among Nigerians.
He said: “Many Nigerians are suffering seriously from eye problems without knowing it, without also bothering to have their eyes checked regularly. During the eye screening exercise, there were very many people with serious eye issues and they never knew they had such.  It was surprising that many could not see, and thought it was normal.”
Okonkwo said there was a personnel from a national security agency holding a loaded fire arm but when he was examined, he could not see beyond two meters.
“We want to stress that Nigerians should habitually be having eye check frequently. Different organisations, armed forces, schools, too, should recognise this grave challenge by holding free and regular exercise of this nature”, Okonkwo advised.