Ikeja Lions Club, District 404B5 Nigeria, in collaboration with Kenna Foundation and the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), has distributed free eye glasses to residents of Isheri Olofin in Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State.
The exercise was part of activities to mark the 2026 World Sight Day with the theme, “Love Your Eyes.” For Ikeja Lions Club, the activity aligns with its “Journey for Sight” initiative, while for Kenna Foundation, it aligns closely with its “Justice for Vision” programme.
The event was held at Isheri Olofin Garden in Egbe-Idimu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) on 8th October, 2026.
The event featured an awareness walk, health talk and free comprehensive eye screening for cataract, glaucoma, refractive errors, diabetic retinopathy and other eye conditions.
The programme began with an awareness walk to the venue, followed by free eye screening and a health talk on eye care delivered by the Vice-Chairman, Nigerian Optometric Association, Lagos State Chapter, Dr. Taiwo Obomon.
After screening, beneficiaries were given free eye glasses and eye drops. Over 200 beneficiaries were present and received proper medical attention.
According to Dr. Obomon, “the purpose of the exercise is to create awareness on the need to check, love and give adequate care to our eyes regularly. Our eyes have served us from birth and will continue to serve us till old age, so we must take deliberate steps to protect them.”
She emphasized the need to maintain good hygiene by washing hands properly with soap and water before touching the eyes, noting that washing or rubbing the eyes with dirty hands can introduce bacteria and cause infections such as conjunctivitis.
Dr. Obomon advised those who use laptops, phones and computers for long hours to practice the 20-20-20 rule – taking a 20-second break every 20 minutes to look at something 20 feet away, to reduce eye strain. She also warned against the use of concoctions such as urine, breast milk, sugar solution, gin or traditional herbs to treat eye problems, stressing that such practices are harmful and could lead to permanent blindness.
She urged parents to pay attention to children’s eye health and to ensure early eye checks for their wards.
Speaking at the event, Lion Dr. Kelechi Onyedi, Assistant National Secretary of the Nigerian Optometric Association, Past President of Ikeja Lions Club and Coordinator of the Journey for Sight initiative, recalled that World Sight Day was initiated by Lions Clubs International in partnership with global blindness prevention agencies to draw attention to avoidable blindness and visual impairment.
He noted that this is why Lions and Optometrists remain passionate about its commemoration annually, as sight preservation is at the heart of both professions. He encouraged residents to go for regular comprehensive eye examinations, eat healthy diets rich in fruits, green vegetables and Omega-3 fatty acids, drink enough water, and avoid smoking, excessive drinking, self-medication and the use of harmful traditional concoctions in the eyes.
Representatives of Kenna Foundation at the event, Peter Ayomide and Theresa Thomas, said the Foundation always supports initiatives like this during the annual commemoration of World Sight Day because most people do not have the financial resources to visit the hospital. They noted that the outreach is at the core of its Justice for Vision programme, which is dedicated to creating advocacy on eye care and giving people the support they need to take care of their eyes.Lion Orjinta Nkelechi, Secretary of Ikeja Lions Club, who was also present at the occasion, stated that Kenna Foundation is a major supporter of the event year in, year out, while the Nigerian Optometric Association co-sponsored the screening.He expressed appreciation to both organisations for partnering with the Club in its Journey for Sight.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
Leave a Reply