Opticians have enjoined Nigerians to adopt healthy exercises as a way of improving their eye health.
They gave the advice during a marathon and free eye check organised by the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN) to mark this year’s World Sight Day. The theme of this year’s commemoration is “Love your eyes kids”.
Registrar of the board, Dr Obinna Edwin Awiaka, advised children to exercise by “coming out in the sunlight, having vitamin D. You don’t have to be in the air-conditioned car, air-conditioned office and air-conditioned classroom. Exercise, and get a bit of Vitamin D.”
He also enjoined parents and caregivers not to take away vegetables from the breakfast table.
He said, “Give children vegetables and fruits. Find ways to exercise your eyes. There is something called the 2020 rule. That means for every 20 minutes a person looks at a screen or their devices, they should look at something 20 feet away for 20 seconds. It also helps keep their eyes healthy.
“With healthy exercise, children will grow up to have better eyesight, have minimal eye problems in adulthood, and have minimal burden on the healthcare institution of Nigeria.”
He said the board also introduced an initiative called ‘Run to end blindness’ to help Nigerians love their eyes.
“So, to mark World Sight Day, we came up with this initiative so that we can introduce healthy exercises for better eyesight. So, this activity is to bring people together to have runs, mini marathons, short races. At the point of doing it, they are exercising and making sure their eyes are healthy. This year’s event is themed. Love your eyes kids. So, the focus is on children,” he said.
He also advised Nigerians; adults and children, to visit their doctor once every year to check their eyes.
Dr Nzerem Justice, the medical director of Leadway Eye Clinics, said the World Sight Day is an initiative of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness to raise awareness about eye care, eye health, and targeted at preventing preventable blindness.
He said, “ It is to ensure that nobody goes blind needlessly. So, we are using it as an opportunity to raise eye care awareness to the people, and also make eye care available and affordable. Most of us from the private sector are partners in the fight against blindness.
So, what we do is try to add to the awareness that’s already existing, and also bring our own project to make sure that at least the eye care services get to the people who cannot afford it.”
He also advised Nigerians against indiscriminate use of eye glasses.
He said, “Before you get the prescription glasses, at least get an eye nexam from a professional; from an optometrist, then let it be recommended first, before you get it. That you get it cheaper doesn’t mean it’s safe. So, always consult the appropriate professionals.”
Chairman of the National Eye Health Committee, Prof. Afekide Omoti, said caring for the eyes of children is important as it protects them against visual impairments.
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