The Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) says nineteen million children globally have visual impairment. Dr. Adesuwa Ogli, President, Women Optometrists in Nigeria (WON), disclosed this at the commemoration of the World Sight Day with the theme: “Make vision count” on Thursday in Abuja.
She, however, attributed the statistics to WHO record for 2014. Ogli noted that 12 million out of the figure are due to refractive errors, including long and short sightedness as well astigmatism. She also decried the estimated figure of 500,000 children challenged with blindness annually due to avoidable causes. Ogli said: “An eye test a year would keep you away from blindness.’’
She explained that any child with visual impairment would not be able to cope in school, urging parents to take up the responsibilities of ensuring their wards undergo regular eye examination.
She specifically urged parents to conduct annual comprehensive eye examination of school aged children.“ s she said that being visually impaired implies that the child with it will not be able to cope in a conventional school and research has indicated that one in every four children has visual impairment that might affect their education.”Also 80 per cent of what the child learns is through the visual system, so if the visual system is not intact, if they do not have their visual checked or corrected they might not be able to cope.
Emphasis is on the children in this year’s commemoration because 90 per cent of school children have never had their eyes checked” she said. “It is pathetic before a child enters secondary school they are usefully giving a form to fill in their visual attitude but unfortunately this is not done, parents just fill it without conducting the required test.
We want parents, the nation to know that every child has a right to eye check before they get to school, this way you will be able to tell what their vision is. If they can see or cannot see you will have it corrected and through such measure you will have adult who knows their visual status,’’ Ogli added.
Dr. Ozy Okonokhua, Chairman, Zone six Lion Club International, said the commemoration was to draw attention of the global community of the dangers posed by eye defects to members of the community. Okonokhua noted that the club decided to key into the programme based on its international vision of reduction of avoidable blindness across the globe. He however blamed increase in eye problems on lack of access to health facilities, among others.
