By Stephen Adeleye
Lokoja – The Kogi Chairman of the Nigerian Optometry Association (NOA), Dr Temple Okechukwu, has advised Nigerians, especially commercial drivers, to do medical checkup of their eyes on regular basis.
Okechukwu gave the advice at a two-day sensitisation programme organised by the Nigerian Optometry Association (NOA) in collaboration with Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to mark this year’s World Sight Day in Lokoja On Friday.
He said that people between the ages 30 and 39 should do medical check on their vision at least once in two years; 40 and 49, once a year; 50 and above, once in 6 months, to avoid vision impairment.
“People should have their vision checked regularly because there are eye ailments that can be present in the eyes without any symptoms which one will not know until the vision is suddenly lost,” Okechukwu said.
According to him, 80 per cent of fatalities on Nigerian roads are caused by poor vision assessment since most of our roads are not dual carriages but single lanes.
“This is why we are partnering with the FRSC, and National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to conduct random eye screening for commercial drivers to enhance safety on our roads.
“Free reading glasses will be given to every screened driver and those with eyes defects will be referred to optometrist in the hospital for treatment,” he said.
Earlier, the FRSC Sector Commander in Kogi, Mr Ayobami Omiyale, commended the executives of the association for the initiative to sensitise drivers nationwide.
Omiyale noted that some people might have beautiful eyes but not seeing, saying the only way to know was for drivers to have their vision checked by qualified and certified expert.
“This sensitisation is simply a random sampling of commercial drivers and not a totalitarian utility efficiency practice, but it will be good if it can be made frequent everywhere.
“There is nothing wrong in admitting that your vision is not perfect, neither is it a disgraceful act in having your sight screened as drivers or road users,” Omiyale said.
In his remark, the state NURTW Chairman, Mr Jibril Mohammed, lauded the efforts of association to ensure safety on the roads.
“It is an appreciable initiative that will go a long way to help road users, especially commercial drivers to avoid unnecessary accidents on our roads,” Mohammed said.
Mohammed, therefore, urged his members to take advantage of the initiative by ensuring regular check up on their vision as prescribed by the association.
Some of the drivers, who spoke to NAN, commended the organisers for the gesture, but urged the Federal Government to expedite actions on the reconstruction of roads across the country.
“We thank the organisers for this initiative but we want the government to rehabilitate our roads and put it in good condition.
“The FRSC should also ensure that road signs are installed at the necessary points on Nigerian highways,” a driver, Usman Abdullahi, said.