By Aisha Gambo, Kaduna
Eye care experts and disability rights advocates in Kaduna have urged Nigerians to prioritise regular eye screening to prevent avoidable blindness and visual impairment.
They made the call yesterday during awareness activities, including a road walk and free eye screening, organised by the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, in collaboration with the Kaduna State Ministry of Health, Sightsavers and other partners.
The activities were held to mark the 2026 World Sight Day, themed, “Love Your Eyes.”
Speaking during the event, a Consultant at the National Eye Centre, Kaduna, Dr Hashiya Kanam, said cataract remained the leading cause of blindness and visual impairment.
According to her, cataract accounted for more than 50 per cent of blindness cases, particularly among people aged 40 and above.
“Cataracts present mainly with gradual, painless vision loss. Once you notice your vision deteriorating, you need to have your eyes checked.
“However, conditions like glaucoma are often symptomless at the onset. Even if you do not feel any discomfort, it is critical to get your eyes examined at least once every year,” Kanam advised.
She said the road walk was organised to raise public awareness about eye health and the importance of early intervention.
Also speaking, the Vice Chairman of the Kaduna State Eye Health Committee, Dr Fatima Mahmud-Ajeigbe, said the committee coordinates multi-sectoral efforts involving ophthalmologists, optometrists, ophthalmic nurses and disability groups to reduce preventable blindness in the state.
“The essence of World Sight Day is to advocate and enlighten people to love their eyes by taking proactive care of them rather than waiting until problems arise.
“We encourage the public to access screening services across state, federal and private health facilities, including the National Eye Centre and Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria,” she said.
In his remarks, the Chairman of the Nigeria Association of the Blind, Kaduna State Chapter, Mr Salisu Ibrahim, urged the government to ensure full implementation of the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act, 2018.
Ibrahim said effective enforcement of the law would help address the challenges faced by visually impaired persons, particularly in the areas of inclusive education, employment and public accessibility.
“People with disabilities, including visually impaired Nigerians, are citizens entitled to accessible, inclusive and simplified lives. The government is obligated to cater to these needs through strict compliance with the Disability Act,” he stated.
The screening exercise began on Wednesday with outreaches to communities, including Gonin Gora, as well as the Kaduna State Geographic Information Service (KADGIS).
The Programme Officer, Eye Health, Sightsavers, Barbara Marok, said the outreach was part of activities to sensitise communities to the importance of eye health and encourage early detection of eye problems.
Marok said the organisation deliberately selected different communities for the outreaches to ensure that more people across the state benefited from the eye-screening services.
