By Ita Williams
The Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), Cross River State Chapter, has expressed concern over the increasing activities of unqualified persons providing eye-care services in the state.
The association said the situation was particularly worrisome in rural and underserved communities where residents may have limited access to qualified optometrists.
The concern was raised on Tuesday when the association paid a courtesy visit to the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Cross River State Council, at the Ernest Etim Press Centre, Calabar.
The visit was part of activities preceding the 2026 World Sight Day, scheduled for Thursday, October 8.
The Chairperson of the association, Dr Ogechi Cecilia Chukwu, said the campaign was intended to deepen public awareness about eye health and encourage residents to seek professional care.
Chukwu said the theme of this year’s observance, “Love Your Eyes,” places particular emphasis on teachers and eye health.
She noted that teachers could play an important role in detecting vision difficulties among pupils because of their close contact with children in the classroom.
“Teachers are important partners in identifying visual challenges among children,” she said.
According to Dr. Chukwu, the health of teachers’ eyes was equally important because clear vision is necessary for effective classroom instruction
“We also recognise that teachers themselves need good vision to teach effectively,” Chukwu said.
She said the association would therefore incorporate eye-health education and vision screening for teachers into its World Sight Day activities.
On quackery, Chukwu said the problem required sustained public enlightenment, particularly in communities where professional eye-care services were not readily available.
“We are also here to draw attention to the growing concern about quackery in eye care in Cross River State, particularly in rural and underserved communities,” she said.
She urged residents to obtain eye-care services from licensed professionals, warning that inappropriate examination or treatment could expose patients to avoidable risks.
“We need the media to help us educate Cross Riverians that eye care should be obtained from qualified and licensed professionals,” she appealed.
Chukwu also called for greater public awareness of routine eye examinations and the dangers associated with patronising unqualified practitioners, while urging the employment of more optometrists in rural areas.
She invited residents to support the “Love Your Eyes” campaign, saying, “I pledge to love my eyes, prioritise my eye health, encourage others to do the same, and support efforts to make quality eye care accessible to all Cross Riverians.”
The NUJ Chairman in the state, Comrade Archibong Bassey, assured the association of media support, saying, “We will use the media to disseminate this important message to the general public,” while calling for collaboration among stakeholders to improve eye-care awareness and access.
