From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to mark the World Sight Day, the National Eye Centre, Kaduna on Thursday offered free eyes treatment to 200 patients and donated 200 reading glasses to them.
Addressing the patients who were mostly members of the National Automobile Technician Association (NATA) popularly called mechanics, the Chief Medical Director, National Eye Centre, Dr. Mahmoud Alhassan who was represented by Dr. Murtala Mohammed Umar said ” the World Sight Day is usually marked on the second Thursday of October and this year’s event is tagged Love your Eyes at Your work Place focusing on care of the eyes in our working environment.”
Umar maintained that there is provision for at least two hundred patients and about two hundred reading glasses for free distribution.
He charged the beneficiaries on use of appropriate glasses and safety measures for the eyes.
Responding, Chairman of National Automobile Technician Association, Comrade Adau Abubakar thanked the management of the Eye Centre for their efforts in bringing the World Sight Day celebration closer to them in thier place of business to check their eyes, and offering free reading glasses to them.
Earlier, during the Health talk, the World Sight Day Committee Chairman Dr. Raji Lukman said, “Eyesight is undoubtedly one of the most valuable senses we possess as it enables us to carry out our daily tasks with ease, perceive our surroundings, and work efficiently.
However, the nature of your profession puts you at a higher risk of developing eye-related issues.”
According to Dr Lukman, the hazard that automobile mechanics/technicians are prone to in relation to their eyes are eye injuries from flying debris, chemicals burns, Intraocular foreign bodies.
He however pointed out that prevention can be done by taking, “precautionary measures like wearing Safety Glasses, use of face Shields or Goggles, Proper Lighting, proper Storage of tools and regular visitation to hospital for eye check-up.”
