The Nigerian Optometric Association, Cross River State Chapter, has raised the alarm over the growing activities of unqualified practitioners in the eye care sector, warning that residents, particularly those in rural and underserved communities, are increasingly exposed to the dangers of improper eye examinations and treatment.
By Victoria Omini- CALABAR
The association made its concerns known during an advocacy visit to the Chairman of the Nigerian Union of Journalists, NUJ, Cross River State Council, as part of activities marking the 2026 World Sight Day.
The advocacy address was presented by the Chairperson of the association, Dr. Ogechi Cecilia Chukwu, who said the visit was aimed at seeking stronger media collaboration in promoting eye health awareness and protecting members of the public from the consequences of patronising unqualified eye care providers.
Chukwu said the association would commemorate World Sight Day on Thursday, October 8, under the global campaign, “Love Your Eyes,” with this year’s activities placing particular emphasis on teachers and eye health.
According to her, teachers occupy a critical position in identifying visual challenges among schoolchildren because they are often the first to notice when a child struggles to see the board, read properly or participate effectively in classroom activities.
She, however, stressed that teachers themselves also require good vision to effectively carry out their responsibilities, explaining that the association would therefore focus on eye health education and vision screening for teachers as part of its World Sight Day activities.
The optometrists expressed particular concern over the growing prevalence of eye care quackery in Cross River State, especially in rural communities where access to qualified optometrists remains limited.
The association warned that the absence of adequate eye care services could leave residents vulnerable to unqualified individuals who may conduct inappropriate eye examinations or administer unsafe treatments, describing the development as a serious public health and patient safety concern.
It called on the media to intensify public education on the importance of obtaining eye care services only from qualified and licensed professionals, while exposing the potential dangers associated with patronising quacks.
The association also appealed to the NUJ to use its platforms to create greater public awareness about eye health and the importance of regular eye examinations, as well as amplify the teacher focused activities planned for World Sight Day.
It further urged journalists to support advocacy for the employment of more qualified optometrists, particularly in rural communities where residents face greater challenges accessing professional eye care.
The association maintained that the media remains one of its strongest partners in the campaign to improve eye health awareness across the state and protect residents from preventable visual impairment.
As part of its appeal, the association invited the NUJ leadership and members to join the “Love Your Eyes” movement by prioritising their eye health and encouraging others to do the same.
The association also urged stakeholders to support efforts aimed at making quality eye care accessible to all Cross Riverians, stressing that protecting eyesight should be treated as a collective responsibility.
It said the campaign was ultimately about protecting vision, safeguarding the health of teachers and children, and confronting the menace of quackery in the eye care sector.
“Let us love our eyes, protect our vision, protect our teachers and children, and fight quackery together,” the association urged.
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