President of Nigerian Optometric Association NOA Dr Damian Echendu, has said that if proper health measures are not taken, no fewer than Eighty million persons will go blind by 2020 globally.
Echendu stated this at a press briefing held yesterday in Abuja. He said, “persons above 40 years should seek eye care to avoid sudden blindness and some avoidable conditions like glaucoma and refractive error.
He said, “Many eye problem don’t come with any sign or symptoms, Some even have trauma which affect their eyes, we also have some cases that many Communities do not have optometrist,’’
Echendu said in spite of the contributions of the optometric profession to Nigerians ,it is surprising that the profession was still shortchanged due to man-made obstacles, he called on the Federal Government to include optometry department in public Health Sector.
“Up till now, there is no optometry department in both State and Federal Ministries of Health and other tertiary healthcare institutions in Nigeria,’’ he said.
Echendu said the recent circular by the Ministry for the establishment of optometry unit in Federal Health Institutions was disregarded.
He said Optometry as a profession, was submerged under Ophthalmology department in Public healthcare institutions not allowing them to practice what they had learnt in the University as provided by law.
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