World Sight Day: Physician Harps on Avoidable Blindness
Victor Ofure Osehobo, Abuja
A Consultant Optamologist, Dr. Bright Azeta, has said that causes of blindness like glaucoma, refractive error, astigmatization, and long and short sightedness are avoidable.
He was speaking in Benin on, ‘Hope in Sight’, which is the theme of the 2020 World Sight Day organized by International Association of Lions Club to herald her new year.
According to Dr Azeta whereas age and diabetes could also affect the eyes, many are unaware that visual impairment can be avoided.
He said cataract for example which is responsible for about 50 percent of blindness in low income countries like Nigeria can be dealt with by surgery.
Meanwhile about 600 visually impaired persons have benefited from the free eye screening, cataract surgeries and distribution of free eye glasses, by the Lions club, Region 8.
Doris Otokiti Chairperson of the club which facilitated the exercise said that vision is life and for club members it is a rare privilege to be of assistance for the visually impaired.
The World Sight Day was initiated as ‘sightfirstcampaign’ of the club in 2000 by the International Association of Lions Clubs, to raise awarenesses about blindness and visual impairment, its causes, prevention and treatment.
The year’s event was marked by Region 8 of the Lion Club in Benin in collaboration with the Saint Theresa Specialist Eye Care Centre, where Dr Azeta is Medical Director.
