1 Billion People Will Be Blind By 2025– NOA [Read The Causes]

The Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) has predicted that over 1 billion people will be blind globally by 2025.

The association said the over 1 billion people that will be blind globally by that next two years will affect productivity, national growth, and family life if adequate interventions were not made.

In a communiqué issued at the end of the 46th National Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Association held in Asaba, Delta State, the association identified poor out-door/prolonged near work activities like use of computers, telephones, TV, laptop, eye pads as major causes of eye and vision problems.

The Communiqué which was signed by the Association President and National Secretary, respectively, Dr. Anderson Chimeziri and Dr Victor Aliche also identified ignorance and poor accessibility are some of the major causes of vision impairment and loss.

The communiqué noted that the current State of Primary Health Care Facilities functioning in Nigeria was alarmingly low with about 80% of more than 6000 optometrists in Nigeria in the private sector leaving only about 20% in the public sector.

The Association opined that one of the primary responsibilities of government was to cater for the welfare of its citizens, just as it expressed dismay that certain equipment needed in the delivery of health care services are severely overtaxed by customs.

“The federal government should pay compelling attention to the health sector especially primary health care, for a strong and healthy nation to emerge. Government should provide necessary environment for people to access quality and efficient eye care services”.

“The over 1 billion people that will be blind globally by 2025 will affect productivity, national growth, and family life if adequate interventions are not effected. Poor out-door/prolonged near work activities like use of computers, telephones, TV, laptop, eye pads are major causes of eye and vision problems.

“Parents are encouraged to allow their children to participate in healthier out-door activities and to reduce prolonged near work like use of mobile phones, laptops, eye pads and sitting close to the TV . There should be a break of about 20 seconds and relaxation of the eyes by looking at distant object after about 20 minutes of near work”.

The Association maintained that a single comprehensive eye exam conducted by an optometrist can lead to variety of favourable outcomes which ranges from discovery of previously undetected eye and health problems like glaucoma, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other health conditions.

“Our sense of sight is one of the critical aspects of our daily life, that enables us to communicate with the world around us, perform numerous task essential to our daily life. Thus, when people have vision loss, it changes the way they live, decreases their physical and social activities which ultimately affects the brain function leading to cognitive decline.