The Nigeria Optometrist Association (NOA) says that many kids around the world struggle to see clearly because of vision problems they don’t know they have. This problem is called uncorrected refraction error.
Recently, NOA launched a program to check children’s eyes for free. This was part of their celebrations for the 2024 World Sight Day. They want to make sure kids in all areas, even those hard to reach, get their eyes checked.
Dr. Grace Ahams-Akor, the head of the association in the state, shared that their goal is not only to find kids with vision problems but also to give them eyeglasses that help them see better. This way, the kids can do well in school and feel good about themselves.
Dr. Ahams-Akor said it’s very important for parents to check their children’s eyes every year. If a child needs glasses, it’s one of the simplest ways to help them see and learn better.
The association also visited some schools in the state capital to teach children how to protect their eyes from getting hurt. They said many injuries can cause blindness if not avoided.
Thanks to help from their national team, they have enough glasses to help the children who need them. During school visits, if a child does not do well in the vision test, they will check more to see if glasses or further treatment is needed.
Dr. Bordiya G. Buma, the Health Commissioner, said the state’s government, led by Governor Agbu Kefas, will continue to support these efforts. He encouraged families to make use of the free eye checks to keep their eyes healthy.