WORLD SIGHT DAY: OPTOMETRISTS PRIOTIZE EYE CARE FOR LAWMAKERS TO BOOST POLICIES

—–Hold public free eye care in october 

Optometrist and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board (ODORBN) has said that it is prioritising eye care for lawmakers to boost policies for quality eye health delivering system in the country.

The registrar/chief executive officer  ODORBN, Prof Ebele Uzodike disclosed this in Abuja at a media forum in commemoration of 2022 world sight day held annually on every second thursday of october. 

With this year’s theme “Love your eyes save life”, she explained that over the decades the focus globally has been on sensitising the masses but this year, her organisation decided to take it to policy makers because they determine what happens and can effect best quality policies in the eye health sector. 

“By the time we examine them educate and sensitise them, it will go a long way in influencing the decisions and types of policies they make, they will think about the eyes while making policies” she said 

She noted that what eye health practitioners are also looking at is to sensitise policy makers on the relationship between the eyes and systematic diseases like diabetics and hypertension. 

Calling on stakeholders to join hands to make eye health campaign successful, she said that there is an on going review that will soon be in practice because it is important to take on international best practices that will uplift the standards and visions of eye health practice.

“The ministry has formed eye health committees at the national level and has also called on states to come up with state eye health committee, all eye care professionals including opthalmologists optometrist nurses, dispensing opticians must all be part of the committee”

Prof Uzodike said that if the effort of the ministry to incorporate eye care services into primary health care is done successfully then government must have been able to establish eye care successfully in the rural communities. 

According to her, “all eye professional bodies will embark on this campaigns throughout the month of october, you can walk into any eye clinic in the country and get your eyes checked free of charge, know your eye status and take proper care of your eyes, treatments will also be given by professionals”

She advised Nigerians to seize the opportunity to go for their eye checks during this reach out campaign adding that the idea is for everyone to love their eyes, take their eye care seriously and avoid patronizing quacks to have healthy and happier life.