Tag: eye health

The federal government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving eye health outcomes in Nigeria through strengthened leadership, strategic collaboration, and sustained partnerships across all levels of healthcare delivery.

This commitment was restated in Abuja on Tuesday at the opening of the 4th National Eye Health Coordination Meeting, themed ‘Strengthening Leadership, Strategic Collaboration, Partnership, and Progress Towards Improved Eye Health Outcomes in Nigeria’. 

The meeting brought together key stakeholders to assess progress, exchange innovations, and chart the path forward.

Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Godwin Ntadom, the Director of Public Health at the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, emphasized that effective leadership is central to the success of public health programmes, including those targeting eye care. 

He said visionary leadership helps set bold goals, mobilize resources, and drive reforms to ensure that critical eye care services reach underserved communities.

He stressed that addressing the complexity of eye health challenges demands coordinated efforts involving government institutions, NGOs, private sector actors, healthcare professionals, and local communities. 

“By working together, we can leverage our collective expertise and resources to build a more efficient and impactful eye health system,” he said.

The Director also underlined the value of sustained partnerships, describing them as the glue that holds sector-wide efforts together, from research collaborations to service delivery innovations and community-level engagement. 

He added that future progress must be data-driven, adaptable, and inclusive of all population groups.

He called for the integration of eye care into the broader primary healthcare system, strengthened professional capacity, expanded infrastructure, and improved community outreach.

In addition, he urged policymakers to reinforce governance structures, enhance accountability, and prioritize eye health as a key element of national development.

“The journey toward improved eye health in Nigeria requires collective action. With stronger leadership, strategic partnerships, and a shared vision, we can ensure every Nigerian has access to quality eye care and contribute to national and global health goals,” he noted.

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The overarching goal remains to achieve universal access to quality eye care in Nigeria by 2030, in alignment with both national and global health targets.

In her welcome remarks, Dr. Okolo Oteri, Director at the Federal Ministry of Health and National Coordinator of the National Eye Health Programme (NEHP), described the meeting as a critical platform for consolidating past gains and addressing ongoing challenges in the sector. 

She said the gathering offered an opportunity to build capacity, engage stakeholders, mobilize resources, and promote research, noting, “Our goal is to develop strategic approaches, adopt best practices, and apply innovative solutions that improve service delivery, policy implementation, and advocacy”.

Pointing out that eye care should be integrated and patient-centred, reflecting the needs of Nigerians at every stage of life, she stressed, “The eye is one of the most valuable organs. When vision is lost, productivity declines, quality of life drops, and the nation’s economy suffers.”

She highlighted the success of Jigibola 2.0—the Effective Spectacle Coverage Initiative, which has trained primary health workers in 15 states to provide basic eye care services in local health centers. 

This effort, she noted, is bringing services closer to the rural population, where more than 70% of Nigerians live.

“Before now, eye care was limited to secondary and tertiary hospitals. Rural dwellers had to travel long distances. But today, with trained primary health workers on the ground, help is much closer,” she said.

Dr. Sambo Dawa, an eye health officer from Gombe State, shared how the programme’s partnership with the Clinton Health Access Initiative enabled the training of 12 senior eye care professionals, who then trained 231 health workers across 77 clinics. 

“This has made eye care and referrals more accessible at the grassroots level,” he said.

According to him, under the Jigibola programme, Gombe also received 36,000 reading glasses, 31,000 of which have already been distributed to people aged 40 and above. 

“People who could no longer read can now read again. This has improved their quality of life,” Dr. Dawa added, encouraging other states to make full use of available training and resources.

Participants are expected to return to their states to assess progress, identify gaps, and implement strategies that include better planning, stronger data systems, infrastructure development, and workforce expansion.

Some vision changes can be expected with age. There may be a shift in how you perceive colors or how your eyes focus. You may need more light to read or drive. Many people wonder how to improve their vision once they notice these differences. Luckily, even though minor changes are a normal part of aging, many vision impairments are preventable and treatable.  

Some age-related vision changes can be corrected with surgery, glasses or contacts. You can also keep your eyesight sharp by taking care of your health before serious problems begin. Some simple exercises can even keep your vision healthy. 

Many vision problems are treatable or manageable if discovered early. However, once vision loss starts, it may be irreversible. Here are things you should do to care for your eyes and help protect your vision far into the future ; 

*Wear sunglasses:

Sunglasses block harmful UV light, decreasing your risk of cataracts, eye cancer and sunburn. The right pair of shades will help protect your eyes from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays. Too much UV exposure boosts your chances of cataracts and macular degeneration. Choose a pair that blocks 99% to 100% of UVA and UVB rays. Wraparound lenses help protect your eyes from the side. Polarized lenses reduce glare while you drive, but don’t necessarily offer added protection.

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If you wear contact lenses, some offer UV protection. It’s still a good idea to wear sunglasses for an extra layer.

*Avoid smoking:

Smoking has long been known to cause heart disease and lung cancer; however many people don’t realize that smoking can lead to vision loss. Studies show smoking increases the risk of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy and Dry Eye Syndrome.

One way to reduce the risk of developing Age Related Macular Degeneration AMD is by NOT smoking. Smokers are three to four times more likely to develop AMD than nonsmokers. Nonsmokers living with smokers almost double their risk of developing AMD.

Heavy smokers (15 cigarettes/day or more) have up to three times the risk of cataract as nonsmokers .

There is a strong link between smoking and high blood pressure, cataracts and diabetes all of which are risk factors for glaucoma.

*Screen breaks:

If you are putting in countless hours in front of digital screens daily, your eyes will undoubtedly feel the toll and your overall health may be affected too. Screen breaks, or scheduled periods away from screens, can give your eyes a much-needed rest. In this post, a trusted provider of prescription eyeglasses delves deeper into why screen breaks are good for everyone.

Consistent screen usage can lead to a host of eye-related issues, primarily eye strain. Screen breaks help interrupt this pattern, reducing issues like dry eyes and lessening the risk of computer vision syndrome. Moreover, they contribute significantly to improving your overall visual health. Regular intervals away from the screen boost your eyes’ focus flexibility, preventing undue strain and potential vision loss in the long run. If you don’t currently take screen breaks, it’s high time you get started.

*Eating the right food: 

You may already be eating some of the best foods for healthy eyes, including carrots, broccoli and salmon. Diet is one of the most effective ways to protect your eye health.

In addition to a balanced diet, here are the best vitamins and supplements for your eyes ; 

I. Vitamin A

Vitamin A supports your vision, immune system, heart, lungs and overall growth and development. Specifically, vitamin A helps you see a full spectrum of light, as the vitamin produces pigments in the retina. It can also keep your eyes from drying out. You can find vitamin A in foods such as salmon, broccoli, fortified breakfast cereals, eggs and carrots.

II. Vitamin C

Vitamin C is like sunscreen for your eyes: It helps protect them from UV damage. The more time you spend outside and under the sun, the greater the risk for damage. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, too long in the sun can cause irreversible damage. Vitamin C can also lower your risk of cataracts, a disease that causes the lens of your eyes to become cloudy.

While a recent study found that vitamin C supplementation was effective in patients who were already vitamin C deficient, more studies are needed to truly understand the relationship between vitamin C and a lower risk of cataracts. In addition to getting enough vitamin C, avoid tanning beds, and if you are outside, wear sunglasses and a hat to protect your eyes. Foods with vitamin C are , kale, broccoli, brussels sprouts, oranges, lemons ,and strawberries.

III. Omega-3s

Optometrists regularly recommend their patients consume omega-3s, and if a patient isn’t getting enough of these fatty acids in their diet, try a supplement. Omega-3s are mainly found in fatty fish such as tuna, salmon, mackerel or herring and some nuts and seeds.

The American Optometric Association points to omega-3s as a nutrient that can slow the progress of age-related macular degeneration. Studies have also found that they can help prevent dry eye disease. These nutrients are great for both conditions due to their anti-inflammatory effects.

IV . Vitamin E

Another powerful antioxidant, vitamin E is vital to all our cells and cell functions. It helps to protect our bodies from cancer-causing free radicals and plays an important role in vision. Studies have shown that vitamin E can help protect the retinas from free radicals that can cause eye disease.

Vitamin C, another antioxidant, has more properties that help regeneration. Vitamin E can only help to protect the cells already there. But vitamin E can slow the progression of age-related macular degeneration. The American Optometric Association recommends 400 IU of vitamin E a day.

Foods with vitamin E are , sunflower seeds, almond, peanut, collared greens, red bell pepper, mangoes, and avocados .

*Visit your eye doctor regularly: 

Everyone needs a regular eye exam, even young children. It helps protect your sight and lets you see your best. Eye exams can also find diseases, like glaucoma, that have no symptoms. It’s important to spot them early on, when they’re easier to treat.