By Bilkis Abdulraheem Lawal
The Lagos State Government has renewed its commitment to promoting eye health and preventing avoidable blindness as it joined the global community to mark World Sight Day 2025, themed “Love Your Eyes: Access to Eye Care for All.”
The event, marked by an eye health awareness walk in Alausa, Ikeja, was organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Health to raise public consciousness about vision care and the importance of regular eye checks.
Speaking at the event, the Commissioner for Health, Professor Akin Abayomi, stressed that good eyesight is essential for productivity, learning, and safety, describing vision as one of the most vital senses for human interaction and livelihood.
Professor Abayomi noted that the state government is strengthening preventive eye care services through the establishment of functional eye clinics in all General Hospitals and major Primary Health Centres across the state.
He identified glaucoma, cataracts, and age-related vision loss as major causes of visual impairment, warning that glaucoma, in particular, is a “silent destroyer of sight” that can lead to irreversible blindness if not detected early.
He urged adults, especially professional drivers and machine operators, to prioritise regular eye examinations to safeguard their safety and that of others, while calling on parents and teachers to watch out for children struggling to see or read clearly, as poor vision can significantly affect learning outcomes.
In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health, Dr Olusegun Ogboye, described World Sight Day as a reminder that equitable access to quality eye care is crucial to achieving universal health coverage.
He encouraged residents to take advantage of the government’s free eye screening and treatment outreach programmes.
Also speaking, the Director of Medical Administration and Training, Dr Mazeedat Erinosho, explained that the annual commemoration forms part of the state’s Blindness Prevention Programme, which provides free eye screenings, eyeglasses, and cataract surgeries to residents. She revealed that over 500 people were being targeted in this year’s outreach.
On his part, the Chairman of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (OSN), Lagos State Chapter, Dr Olayinka Shoneye-Vaughan, emphasised that many eye diseases are preventable but become irreversible when left untreated.
He urged Nigerians not to wait until their sight deteriorates before seeking professional eye care.
World Sight Day is observed annually on the second Thursday of October to raise global awareness about eye health, vision care, and the prevention of avoidable blindness.
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