World Sight Day: Ophthalmologists harp on early detection, treatment of eye problems

As World Sight Day was marked on Thursday, October 10 across the globe, ophthalmologists have advocated early detection and treatment of eye issues.

Leading the charge is a professor of Ophthalmology at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Prof. Ifeoma Ezegwui, who urged parents to take their children for early eye examinations as soon as they notice any vision issues.

They made the call during the 2024 World Sight Day celebration, themed “Love Your Eyes, Children,” held at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC).

Newspot reports that the event was organised by the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla.

Ezegwui emphasised that early detection and treatment were crucial in preventing vision loss or blindness due to common eye problems.

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She expressed concern that visual impairment in children was largely caused by a lack of awareness, ignorance about the need for proper care, or the stigma associated with wearing glasses for correction.

She pointed out that mothers could identify if their child had an eye problem while breastfeeding, through the social smile of the child, and during initial health checks in primary and secondary schools.

“Today is World Sight Day, which is observed every second Thursday of October.

“It is a day set aside to inform people about preventable eye diseases and the need for early intervention to preserve vision.

“The theme for this year’s celebration is ‘Love Your Eyes, Children,’ with a focus on child eye healthcare,” she said.

“You can identify a child’s eye problems depending on their age.

“A mother can notice that a child has an eye problem if the child is not looking straight at her while breastfeeding or, by three months, if the child fails to return a social smile,” she added.

Also, in her remarks, Prof. Ada Aghaji, Head of the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Nigeria/College of Medicine, Ituku Ozalla, Enugu, stated that the program aimed to raise awareness of the plight of the blind and the importance of eye health.

She said, “This year’s World Sight Day is highly important because it celebrates children, which is why the department organised a secondary school quiz to educate them about the importance of eye health.”

“The commonest cause of eye problems is cataracts, which primarily affect older individuals. This condition can be treated through a simple cataract surgery lasting about 20 minutes, making it one of the most cost-effective procedures globally.

“However, in the developing world, many people remain blind due to a lack of access to eye care.

“Other causes of blindness include glaucoma, which involves increased pressure in the eye, as well as conditions like measles and nutritional blindness in children.

“The most common cause of visual impairment is refractive error, such as myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism, which can be effectively treated with a simple pair of glasses and presbyopia, often experienced by older people who need reading glasses.”

She pointed out that while those conditions could be readily managed, many individuals, particularly in underserved communities, lacked access to necessary eye care services.

Additionally, she highlighted a significant issue affecting children.

“Even when they have access to eye care and are prescribed spectacles, a stigma often prevents them from wearing glasses.

“Many children shy away from using them due to fears of being teased or made fun of by their peers, which can lead to untreated vision problems and further complications,” she said.

The event’s highlight was a quiz competition among eight selected secondary schools in the metropolis.

The competition focused on the importance of eye health, eye care practices, and the functions of the eye.

“By engaging students in a fun and educational manner, the event aimed to raise awareness about eye health, reduce stigma associated with wearing glasses, and encourage young people to take pride in caring for their vision,” the HOD further stated.