With millions of Nigerians suffering from blindness and vision impairment, eye care is an essential but often overlooked aspect of healthcare. Nigeria bears a portion of the world’s 2.2 billion blind individuals, many of whom could have been prevented but went untreated. Insufficient eye care services in Nigerian primary healthcare, particularly in underprivileged and rural regions, cause long delays in the diagnosis of curable illnesses like glaucoma and cataracts. The diagnosis, treatment, and management of eye illnesses by optometrists is essential for maintaining preventive eye health; nevertheless, at the primary healthcare level, their services are still not enough.
Until their vision deteriorates, a large number of Nigerians remain ignorant of the necessity for eye care. The primary healthcare system’s incorporation of optometrists could enhance accessibility to eye services, while Public Health awareness initiatives could promote preventative care. Nigeria should prioritise preventive eye care in order to lessen vision impairments and ease the burden on more specialised services. The World Sight Day celebration highlighted the value of easily available and reasonably priced eye care, with a focus on children’s eye health.
There are only 4,000 licensed optometrists in Nigeria.
Promising outcomes are observed in data from comparable projects in other nations. For example, the rates of avoidable blindness decreased dramatically in nations like Ghana and Rwanda where optometrists were integrated into basic care. Over the course of 20 years, Rwanda’s Vision 2020 effort showed a 50% decrease in blindness, with optometrists being important in early detection and treatment. To accomplish these goals, such models might be duplicated in Nigeria. Nigerian optometrists also deal with a lot of difficulties. The lack of skilled specialists is one of the biggest challenges.
For a population of over 234 million, there are only roughly 4,000 licensed optometrists in Nigeria, according to the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA). This makes it difficult for people to get eye treatment, particularly in rural areas. Furthermore, the inability of optometrists to deliver high-quality care is impeded by a shortage of funds for Education and supplies. Basic diagnostic instruments, such ophthalmoscopes and slit lamps, are often absent from primary healthcare facilities and are crucial for the timely diagnosis of diseases like cataracts and glaucoma. Not to mention the high expense of specialised training, the government’s emphasis on other healthcare requirements, have left the discipline of optometry underfunded.
A government-funded training program is needed for optometrists.
The narrative of Mrs. Binta Umar from Kano State serves to emphasise the significance of optometric care by demonstrating how having access to an optometrist transformed her life. She assumed that her gradual loss of vision was a normal aspect of ageing as she had been experiencing it for years. Her family sought assistance when her vision became so poor that she was unable to read or walk around on her own. She was given a diagnosis of cataracts and prescribed corrective lenses by an optometrist at a rural health centre. Her sight and freedom were restored by the straightforward intervention, demonstrating the life-changing power of prompt medical attention.
Also, the Nigerian government could enact particular laws integrating optometrists into primary healthcare in order to address these issues. To increase the number of optometrists, particularly in underprivileged areas, a government-funded training program might be an effective tactic. Furthermore, requiring all primary healthcare facilities to have the equipment needed for eye exams will guarantee that early identification and treatment of eye disorders are more widely available. Similar to Rwanda’s Vision 2020 plan, the government might potentially form partnerships with international health organisations to Finance training programs and Infrastructure for eye care. Furthermore, legislative adjustments to incorporate optometrists into the national health Insurance program would lower the cost of their services for the general public.
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It is essential to make a clearer call for public and governmental action. Public health campaigns must to stress the value of routine eye exams and inform the public about the dangers of untreated vision problems. As part of its healthcare program, the government must give eye health top priority and increase financing, resources, and training for optometric services. Nigeria can only prevent widespread vision loss and enhance the lives of millions of individuals by coordinating efforts involving the public, government backing, and the involvement of optometrists in basic healthcare.