As World Sight Day approaches on October 10, 2024, Dr. Gloria Okoekhian-Ogulu, Chairperson of the Nigerian Optometric Association’s Lagos State Chapter, has urged the government to take immediate action to address the eye health of Nigerian children.

She highlighted that over 450 million children worldwide suffer from eye conditions, many of which are preventable or treatable, and stressed the importance of protecting children from avoidable blindness.

Dr. Okoekhian-Ogulu emphasized the critical role that good eyesight plays in a child’s development, noting its impact on learning and social interaction. She pointed out that many children globally suffer from uncorrected refractive errors like nearsightedness, which can hinder educational progress but are easily correctable with glasses. However, stigma and misinformation about the use of glasses continue to be major barriers to timely eye care for children.

To address these challenges, she called on the Nigerian government to mandate eye examinations for all children from preschool age and urged parents and teachers to actively monitor children’s eye health. Dr. Okoekhian-Ogulu also appealed for improved access to affordable eye care, stating, “Our children’s ability to learn and thrive depends on their eyesight, and we must prioritize their eye health to secure their future.”