By Omoyeni Ojeifo
Many Nigerians are living with undetected eye conditions that could permanently damage their vision before any symptoms appear, eye care specialist Dr. Okechukwu Nwachukwu, has warned
World Sight Day is observed annually to raise global awareness about blindness, vision impairment and the importance of eye health.
The 2026 observance is themed, “Love Your Eyes.”
In a telephone interview with PerSecondNews, Nwachukwu, an optician with an Eye Clinic in Rivers State, explained that many Nigerians only seek professional care after their vision has significantly deteriorated with poor awareness and delayed attention contributing to late presentation.
“Some eye conditions can develop gradually without producing obvious symptoms at the early stage. A person may feel that everything is normal while changes are already taking place,” he said.
“This is why routine eye examinations are important, even when there is no complaint,” he told PerSecondnews.
The specialist cautioned that not every eye problem is linked to lifestyle, noting that hereditary factors can also increase a person’s risk of developing certain eye conditions.
“Not every eye problem is caused by lifestyle. Some conditions have a hereditary component, which means people with a family history of certain eye diseases should be particularly intentional about regular eye examinations,” he stated.
Nwachukwu also identified prolonged screen exposure as one of the factors that can affect eye comfort, particularly among people who spend several hours daily on smartphones, computers and other digital devices.
“People spend several hours on their phones, sometimes from morning until night, and many do not realise the effect that prolonged screen exposure can have on their eyes,” he noted.
“The problem is not simply using a phone, but how long and how continuously you use it.”
According to him, people experiencing persistent blurred vision, headaches, eye discomfort or other changes in their sight should seek professional assessment rather than assuming the symptoms will disappear on their own.
“Loving your eyes means being proactive. Do not wait until you can no longer see properly before visiting an eye care professional. Early attention can make a significant difference in protecting vision,” he stated.
Reinforcing the call for greater awareness, the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in a statement urged Nigerians to prioritise eye care, warning that many cases of vision loss can be prevented or treated when detected early.
“Many eye conditions can be prevented or treated when detected early. Regular eye care is important because protecting our sight also supports learning, productivity, independence and our ability to reach our full potential.”
It identifies the benefits of eye care as protecting vision and preventing avoidable blindness, supporting learning, productivity and independence, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries, and helping children and adults reach their full potential.
“Loving your eyes means taking practical steps to protect them. Nigerians should pay attention to their eye health, seek timely treatment when problems arise and avoid habits that can put their sight at risk.”
As Nigerians join the observance of World Sight Day, NOA urged citizens to take practical steps to protect their eyesight and embrace the message of “Love Your Eyes.”