World Sight Day: Ophthalmologists emphasize early detection and treatment of eye problems

As World Sight Day was celebrated around the world on Thursday, October 10, ophthalmologists have advocated for early detection and treatment of eye problems.

Leading the charge is Prof. Ifeoma Ezegwui, Professor of Ophthalmology at the College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, who is urging parents to take their children for early eye examinations as soon as they notice vision problems.

They made the call during the celebration of World Sight Day 2024, themed ‘Love your eyes, children’, held at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (UNEC).

DAILY POST reports that the event was organized by the Department of Ophthalmology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku-Ozalla.

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

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

She pointed out that mothers could determine whether their child had an eye problem during breastfeeding, through the child’s social smile and during initial health checks in primary and secondary schools.

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

“It is a day set aside to educate 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 an emphasis on eye care for children,” she said.

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

“A mother may notice that a child has an eye problem if the child does not look directly at her while breastfeeding or, after three months, if the child fails to smile socially,” she added.

Also, in her remarks, Prof. Ada Aghaji, Head of the Department of Ophthalmology, 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 health of the eye.

She said: “This year’s World Sight Day is of great importance as it puts children in the spotlight. Therefore, the department organized a quiz for secondary schools to educate them about the importance of eye health.”

“The most common cause of eye problems is cataracts, which mainly affect older people. This condition can be treated through a simple cataract surgery lasting approximately 20 minutes, making it one of the most cost-effective procedures worldwide.

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

“Other causes of blindness include glaucoma, which increases eye pressure, as well as conditions such as measles and nutritional blindness in children.

“The most common cause of visual impairment is refractive errors, such as nearsightedness, farsightedness and astigmatism, which can be effectively treated with simple glasses, and presbyopia, which is common in older people who need reading glasses.”

She pointed out that while these conditions could be easily controlled, many people, especially in underserved communities, did not have access to necessary eye care services.

She also highlighted an important issue that affects children.

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

“Many children are hesitant to use them because they fear being teased or made fun of by their peers, which can lead to untreated vision problems and further complications,” she said.

The highlight of the event was a quiz competition between 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 way, the event aimed to raise awareness of eye health, reduce the stigma associated with wearing glasses and encourage young people to take pride on taking care of their eyesight,” the HOD further said.