By CHARLES IWUOHA

As visual impairment continue to surge in the society, a University Don, Professor Chimdi M. Chuka-Okosa, has identified Reflective Error, Glaucoma, Diabetes,and others as the major causes of Visual impairment in the society.

Professor Chuka-Okosa therefore advocated for regular eye check-up to prevent visual Impairment, stating that one out 7 persons in the world are battling with visual Impairment, saying that good vision is essential for security.

Chuka-Okosa, a Professor of Ophthalmology, at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, gave the advice on Tuesday, during the celebration of 2025 World Sight Day at the Institute of Eye Health and Visual Sciences Research (IEHVSR), David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Ebonyi State.

Speaking on the theme: ``Love your eyes,” Professor Chuka-Okosa urged participants to love their eyes and take good care of it as you can’t do anything without the eyes, stating that good vision is essential for security, enhances economic well-being, and academic performance.

Recommending solutions to visual Impairment, Professor Chuka-Okosa called for regular eye check-up to avoid reflactive errors, eating balanced diet, engaging in exercise, and avoid wrong prescription and use of breast milk to cure eye issues.

Speaking on the Role of pathologists in the prevention of avoidable blindness due to neglected tropical diseases,a Consultant Pathologist,Dr Kiran Ekochin explained that the contributions of Pathologists to patients healthcare are numerous, which includes; Accurate Diagnosis/patient quality care, prognosis and prediction, multidisciplinary patient treatment approach, multidisciplinary tumour board, morbidity and mortality meeting, disease monitoring and treatment response assessment, cancer screening and research, among others.

He noted that WHO recognises 21 NTDs and has a roadmap to control and eradicate these diseases by 2030.

Delivering a lecture on “The critical role of Children’s vision and eye health in ensuring readiness for learning, development, and life long well-being,”Dr Jennifer C.Obani from the Department of Optometry, DUFUHS, said vision is both an eye and brain function, adding that the eye develops through the embryonic stage to birth visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and colour vision are not fully developed until about 5 years.

She explained that visual contex develops rapidly in early childhood. Dr.Obani recommended for pediatric eye examination at birth, vision screening before school entry, teachers training to recognize visual issues, among others.

Earlier in his Keynote address, the Vice Chancellor of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Professor Jesse Uneke, appreciated the participants for their active roles and contributions to ensure quality healthcare delivery in the country, stating that the Institute for Eye Health and Visual Sciences Research (IEHVSR), has offered free eye treatment to 2, 412 patients.

Professor Uneke, who was represented by a senior lecturer in DUFUHS, Dr Richard Nnabu, stated that the free eye services started since February when the centre was flagged-off to help the rural dwellers and indigent persons in the society, saying that patients from different parts of the country has been coming to access free medical treatment.