By Christian Njoku
The Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital (NNRH), Calabar on Friday had a free eye examination for residents of Cross River in commemoration of World Glaucoma Week, 2023.
The free eye examination which targeted hundreds of residents in the state had the theme: “The World is Bright Save Your Sight.”
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the 2023 World Glaucoma Week is commemorated from March 12 to 18 as a global initiative to raise awareness about glaucoma as one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide.
Speaking to NAN during the eye screening exercise, Surgeon Captain Dominica Adebayo, Commander NNRH, Calabar said the screening was necessary because glaucoma hardly showed symptoms.
She said by the time its symptoms become noticeable, it means it is already getting advanced, adding that Nigerians needed to check their eyes regularly.
“Africans are prone to glaucoma because of our race and for some people, it runs in their family, so, the best thing to do is to check your eyes regularly,
“This is so that once it is picked, treatment will commence immediately and further damage is stemmed because the damage glaucoma does to someone’s eyes is irreversible,” she said.
She maintained that the high number of people suffering from glaucoma in Nigeria was a health challenge of public importance, second to cataracts in causing visual impairment.
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According to her, children are not excluded as it cuts across all ages, some children are even born with it which is where specialists are required to handle congenital glaucoma.
She said anyone tested during the screening and traces of glaucoma found in him or her, he or she would be referred to the NNRH, Calabar for further care and his or her first consultation and test would be free.
Similarly, HRH Eso Archibong Eso, Clan Head of Obutong Community, thanked the navy for carrying out the exercise in his community in Calabar.
Represented by Chief Eso Adim-Eso, he encouraged other corporate organisations to emulate the Nigerian Navy because it would make Nigeria better.
On her part, Ms Rose Ikpi, one of the beneficiaries of the screening said she was on her way to her village to vote in the governorship and state house of assembly elections when she discovered the ongoing screening.
Ikpi said the navy was doing a good job as many Nigerians could not go for eye check up owing to economic reasons.
She advised residents of the city to take advantage of the screening to save their sight because it’s only a person that sees that can effectively face life’s challenges. (NAN)
