An ophthalmologist, Prof. Feyi Adepoju, has urged pregnant women and parents to prioritise regular eye examinations and early treatment to prevent avoidable visual impairment among children.
Adepoju, an eye specialist at the University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital (UITH), gave the advice during a sensitisation session organised as part of the “Harvest of Miracle Babies” programme.
The programme was organised by Christ Foundation Mercyland Church, Ilorin, on Wednesday, where participants received information on preventing childhood eye conditions and visual impairment.
She said eye care should begin during pregnancy, noting that some eye conditions in children could originate during foetal development and required early medical attention.
According to her, certain infections and health conditions during pregnancy, as well as consumption of improperly cooked or contaminated meat, can pose risks to unborn children.
She said some babies were born with congenital eye conditions, including cataract and glaucoma, which required early assessment and treatment by qualified eye-care professionals.
Adepoju advised parents against seeking treatment for children’s eye problems from unqualified practitioners, patent medicine dealers or roadside chemists, warning against potentially harmful interventions.
She also warned about amblyopia, commonly known as lazy eye, which could develop when one eye did not function properly and the condition remained untreated.
She explained that the brain could gradually ignore the affected eye and rely on the stronger one, resulting in reduced vision that might become permanent.
The ophthalmologist said some children wrongly perceived as unintelligent might actually have undiagnosed vision problems, urging parents and teachers to seek professional assessment where necessary.
She advised parents to ensure their children received complete routine immunisation, particularly against measles, which she described as an important preventable cause of childhood blindness.
Adepoju also urged parents to supervise children during play to reduce the risk of eye injuries and trauma, particularly during activities involving sharp or dangerous objects.
She advised parents to regulate children’s prolonged use of phones, tablets, computers and television, especially activities involving sustained close-up viewing over extended periods.
“Ensure that children take regular breaks from screen-based activities and spend time engaging in outdoor play to reduce the effects associated with prolonged close work,” she said.
Adepoju recommended comprehensive eye examinations for adults and children at least once a year, particularly for those with existing eye conditions or identified risk factors.
She said high blood pressure and other systemic conditions could affect vision, while glaucoma could have a hereditary component, making early screening important for affected families.
She cautioned people who wear glasses against using another person’s prescription, emphasising that corrective lenses should only be prescribed after proper eye examination.
Adepoju also warned against indiscriminate use of steroid medications, noting that prolonged or inappropriate use could cause serious eye complications and potentially threaten vision.
She emphasised the importance of early detection, saying some forms of visual loss could be prevented or successfully managed when identified and treated promptly.
The ophthalmologist encouraged people to adopt the principle of “pray and watch”, explaining that while prayer was important, individuals should also take practical precautions.
She urged people to undergo regular medical check-ups and seek professional care promptly whenever they noticed changes in their vision or eye health.
Earlier, the Presiding Pastor of the church, Pastor Segun Aiyedogbon, said the event was a vision given to him by God to encourage women and families.
Aiyedogbon said love was best expressed through giving, adding that Christians were called to demonstrate God’s love by caring for others and reaching out to those in need.
He also encouraged people to enlighten others when necessary, saying sharing useful knowledge was another way of showing concern for individuals and communities.
One of the participants, Mrs Akinyemi Adebimpe, described the session as enlightening and refreshing, saying it changed her understanding of childhood eye care.
“Most of us did not know that eye care begins from pregnancy. We only care about the eye when a child is born and does not seem to develop as expected.
“It was indeed an educative session and I ask for more of such health education,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that activities marking the event included a charity visit to an orphanage in Ilorin, where participants extended support to children and promoted community care.
(NAN)
