Nigerian Optometrists Seek More Recruitments In Health Centers To Curb Avoidable Blindness

by Idahosa Musa

The Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), Edo State Chapter, has called for the recruitment and deployment of more optometrists to Primary Health Centers (PHCs) across the country, warning that inadequate access to professional eye care could expose more Nigerians to preventable blindness.

The association said strengthening eye care services at the grassroots level would help tackle quackery, wrong prescriptions and harmful traditional practices, while ensuring early detection and treatment of eye conditions.

Chairman of the association in Edo State, Dr. Charles Eguavoen, made the call in Benin recently during a press briefing to commemorate the 2026 World Sight Day.

Eguavoen disclosed that Edo State had 240 registered optometrists capable of providing services across various sectors requiring professional eye care, but regretted that many were yet to be absorbed into the public healthcare system.

He said the deployment of more optometrists to PHCs would improve access to prompt treatment for eye injuries sustained on farms and at workplaces, provide first aid for eye emergencies and facilitate early referrals for patients requiring surgical intervention.

According to him, the availability of trained eye care professionals at the primary healthcare level would also reduce reliance on unqualified practitioners and unsafe traditional remedies, thereby helping to prevent avoidable blindness.

The NOA chairman urged the management of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, to engage optometrists to cater for the eye care needs of its large student and staff population, as well as residents of surrounding communities.

He also called on the Edo State Health Monitoring and Accreditation Agency (EDOHERMA) to employ optometrists to strengthen the registration, supervision and monitoring of optometry clinics across the state.

Eguavoen, however, commended Governor Monday Okpebholo for the recruitment of 18 optometrists last year through the Edo State Hospitals Management Agency, describing the intervention as a step towards improving eye care delivery.

He appealed to the agency to increase its intake of optometry interns to strengthen professional training, build manpower capacity and ensure a steady supply of qualified practitioners for the future.

As part of activities marking this year’s World Sight Day, the association announced plans for free eye screening at Uzebu Town Hall on October 8, the Edo State Internal Revenue Service on October 22, and Urhonigbe in December 2026.

Eguavoen urged residents to take advantage of the free screening exercises and make regular eye examinations a priority, stressing the importance of early detection in preventing avoidable vision loss.