Lagos Optometrists Take Eye Checks to Communities for World Sight Day
Korede Abdullah 
LAGOS, Nigeria – The Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), Lagos State chapter, will take eye-health awareness and free screenings to communities across the state as part of activities marking the 2026 World Sight Day.
The campaign, themed “Love Your Eyes: Every Story Counts,” will feature rallies and awareness walks involving optometrists and residents in Ikeja, Alimosho, Lagos Island and FESTAC.
NOA Lagos Chairperson, Dr Ghenorhe Ehimen, said the activities were designed to bring eye-health information and services closer to residents while encouraging early detection of vision problems.
She said free eye screenings would be conducted in Ikeja, Alimosho and Lagos Island after the awareness walks.
The FESTAC programme will also include a visit to people living with blindness.
Ehimen said the global theme places people and their lived experiences at the centre of discussions on eye health.
She cited World Health Organisation data showing that about 2.2 billion people globally live with near or distance vision impairment, with more than one billion cases preventable or yet to be addressed. “Vision impairment affects millions of people worldwide, with many cases preventable or treatable when identified and managed early,” she said.
Ehimen said avoidable blindness and visual impairment continued to affect education, employment, independence and family wellbeing in Nigeria.
She also cited national data indicating that about 4.2 per cent of Nigerian adults aged 40 are blind, representing approximately 1.13 million people, while about 4.25 million adults aged 40 are visually impaired and blind. “Every story count because every pair of eyes counts. Behind the statistics are real people whose education, work, independence and quality of life can be affected by vision loss,” she said.
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