Residents of Akowonjo in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State have benefited from a free eye care outreach organized by Lions District 404B5 Nigeria as part of activities commemorating the 2026 World Sight Day.
Held on October 16, 2026 at the Alimosho Local Government Secretariat in Akowonjo, the initiative aligned with this year’s World Sight Day theme, “Love Your Eyes,” and was aimed at promoting eye health awareness, encouraging preventive care and providing access to essential eye care services.
The outreach featured an awareness walk, an educational health talk and comprehensive eye examinations to screen for various eye conditions, including cataracts, glaucoma, refractive errors, diabetic retinopathy and other vision-related challenges.
The programme commenced with an awareness walk to the venue, followed by an eye health sensitization session delivered by optometrists. More than 200 beneficiaries received medical attention, with free prescription eyeglasses and eye drops provided to those who required them.
Residents identified as needing specialized treatment were referred to general hospitals for further care. The district also pledged financial assistance towards the cost of surgery for beneficiaries requiring surgical intervention.
Speaking at the outreach, the District Governor of Lions District 404B5 Nigeria, Lion Phina Origho PMJF, NLCF explained that the initiative was designed to educate the public on the importance of protecting their sight and making routine eye examinations a priority.
She emphasized that the eyes are vital organs that require consistent attention and professional care, urging residents to establish the habit of visiting qualified eye care professionals for regular examinations.
The District Governor cautioned against self-medication, advising anyone experiencing eye discomfort or other vision-related symptoms to seek medical attention rather than attempt to treat the condition independently.
She further encouraged residents to limit prolonged phone use, noting that excessive screen exposure could contribute to eye discomfort and other vision-related problems. She also advised them to consume nutritious foods that support good eye health.
In his health presentation, Lion Dr. Kelechi Onyedi NLCF, an optometrist and co-chairperson of the event highlighted the importance of regular eye examinations in maintaining healthy vision and preventing avoidable blindness.
He explained that routine eye checks enable the early identification of eye conditions, allowing timely intervention before they progress into more serious complications.
Lion Kelechi Onyedi NLCF outlined several practical measures for maintaining healthy eyes, including eating foods rich in vitamin A, such as carrots, leafy green vegetables and fish; avoiding excessive alcohol consumption and smoking; wearing sunglasses that protect against harmful ultraviolet rays; getting sufficient sleep; and observing proper eye hygiene by avoiding contact with the eyes using unclean hands.
He also stressed the importance of managing chronic conditions such as diabetes and hypertension as well as reducing prolonged exposure to digital screens.
The chairperson of the event’s organizing committee, Lion Uche Okeke NLCF noted that vision care remains one of the major humanitarian service priorities of Lions Clubs International.
She explained that Alimosho was selected as the outreach location because of its status as one of the country’s largest local government areas, offering the club an opportunity to extend its services to a substantial number of residents.
Lion Okeke confirmed that over 200 people were screened during the exercise and urged beneficiaries to follow the instructions provided by the optometrists on the proper use of their prescribed medications and eyeglasses.
Also addressing participants, Dr. Ugochi Enwerem, Coordinator of the National Association of Optometrists in the Alimosho Zone, encouraged residents to take eye health seriously and seek professional attention promptly whenever they notice changes in their vision.
She observed that delayed presentation at hospitals remains a major factor contributing to preventable sight loss. According to her, early reporting of eye problems and the timely commencement of appropriate treatment can significantly reduce the incidence of blindness in the community.
The World Sight Day outreach reinforced Lions District 404B5 commitment to preventing avoidable blindness, promoting public health education and improving access to essential eye care services, particularly for underserved communities.
