WSD 2025: Optometrists Offer Free Eye Treatment, Glasses In Anambra

• Urge Public To Love, Protect, Care For Their Eyes

By Uzo Ugwunze

The Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), Anambra State Chapter, provided free medical tests, medications, and eyeglasses to over 500 individuals in the Awka and Onitsha areas, as optometrists joined the global community in celebrating World Sight Day (WSD) 2025.

The association also conducted outreach programs in communities, schools, correctional facilities, and through mass media campaigns, encouraging people to love their eyes by protecting and caring for them to prevent vision loss.

Speaking at Mary Mother of Christ Compassionate Home for the Needy and Abandoned in Onitsha, optometrist Sr. Dr. Chizobam Azubuike IHM stated that they were providing free eye examinations for the residents to commemorate WSD in Anambra.

According to her, “Earlier this morning, I spoke to the pupils of Good Shepherd Nursery and Primary School about eye health. I instructed them on how to love their eyes, aligning with the 2025 WSD theme: ‘Love your eyes: Action: Vision for everyone.’

“I emphasised the importance of safe play to prevent injuries to their eyes or those of their classmates. I also advised them that if they experience discharge, itching, pain, or refractive errors, they should inform their teachers or parents and consult one of the four eye care professionals: optometrists, ophthalmologists, opticians, or ophthalmic nurses.

” Children’s eye complaints should never be dismissed. Adults should also be vigilant about their own eye health and the well-being of children around them,” she added.

Earlier, the Chairman of NOA Anambra State Chapter, Dr. Chidiebere Ezeanowai, cautioned against self-medication, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and extended periods of watching television or using electronic devices such as smartphones, tablets, or computers without taking preventative measures.

“The way you care for yourself directly impacts how you love and care for your eyes. You love your eyes by taking care of them. Avoid harmful habits and the consumption of unhealthy substances.

“Avoid continuous viewing of phones, televisions, or books for extended periods, as the eye is a highly sensitive organ. Myopia is becoming increasingly prevalent due to the constant use of tablets and phones.

“Give your eyes regular breaks to avoid strain or pain. The normal eye requires a certain number of blinks to prevent dryness. Follow the 20:20:20 rule: After reading for 20 seconds, look at an object 20 meters away for 20 seconds before resuming reading or using devices.

“Visit an optometrist for routine eye checkups at least once or twice a year, and whenever the need arises.

“Avoid self-medication. Always obtain a doctor’s prescription before starting treatment or purchasing medications from a patent medicine store.

“For instance, taking Chloramphenicol tablets during pregnancy and breastfeeding can affect fetal development and impact the eyes of the unborn child or newborn.

“Eye pain can be caused by refractive errors, congenital factors, prolonged sun exposure, tablets, computers, occupational hazards, and more.

“While some types of eye pain may not require medication and can be managed with professional advice, others may only require eyeglasses.

“Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet sunlight can eventually lead to cataracts. Glaucoma occurs when the optic nerve is damaged due to pressure on the eye, potentially resulting in a situation where the eyes are open, but the brain cannot interpret the visual input.

“The eyes benefit from greenish vegetables and fruits like bananas, carrots, fruits with a yellowish appearance, ugiri, and pawpaw, as they are rich in carotene.

“Take care of your eyeglasses. Scratches on lenses can cause eye pain. Avoid removing your glasses with one hand, as this can cause the frame to expand.”

Sister Manuelle Marie Onyenagwa, IMH, Administrator of the Compassionate Home, expressed profound gratitude to the NOA Anambra State chapter for visiting their facility and providing free eye examinations, diagnoses, treatment, eyeglasses, and medications to the children, elderly residents, postulants, and other clients who participated in the free eye screening.

While WSD is celebrated annually on October 9th, the WSD week, which took place from October 6th to 12th, 2025, included the inauguration of state chapter members into NOA National Committees, advocacy visits across the state (including a seminar for pregnant women at the Maternity Clinic of Teaching Hospital Awka), live media appearances on radio and television stations across the state.

Other activities included seminars at various primary and secondary schools, primary healthcare centers, and Nigerian Correctional Services centers across the state, free vision screening at Onitsha Motherless Babies Homes and Nigerian Correctional Services centers, setting up vision corridors, a “Walk for Sight” across the state, a special hangout for NOA members in Anambra State, and a concluding Thanksgiving service.