By Aderogba George

The Family of Optometric Mentors (FOM) has trained no fewer than 4,000 optometrists over the past 10 years and equipped 1,000 students with advanced clinical skills aligned with global best practices.

This is revealed in a communiqué issued to journalists on Saturday in Abuja, following the group’s 10th anniversary celebration and 9th Annual General Meeting (AGM), which highlighted a decade of mentorship and professional development.

FOM, established on Oct. 4, 2014, began with five mentors in Abuja and has grown into a nationally recognised non-profit with chapters in more than 25 states and 100 trained mentors.

More than 50 aspiring mentors are currently undergoing certification, receiving training through hands-on mentoring, CPD workshops, internship programmes, and the “FOM Goes to School” outreach across optometry institutions nationwide.

The group’s mission of “making practice better” has led to measurable improvements in clinical competency and the standard of patient care delivered by optometrists across Nigeria.

Speaking at the AGM, FOM National Coordinator Dr Alwell Maduakolam, said mentorship was a powerful tool in reducing preventable blindness, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria.

He cited global data showing that 2.2 billion people were visually impaired, nearly half from preventable causes, stressing the impact of training optometrists at the primary eye care level.

Maduakolam said FOM’s mentorship framework covered 46 areas in optometric care, including advanced diagnostics like OCT, visual field analysis, binocular vision, ocular therapeutics, and low vision rehabilitation.

“These free training sessions are delivered by expert mentors through experiential learning, many of whom are now internationally recognised for their excellence in clinical practice and education.

“FOM has received strong institutional support from the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) and the Optometrists and Dispensing Opticians Registration Board of Nigeria (ODORBN).”

He said the leadership of past and present NOA Presidents and ODORBN Registrar Dr Obinna Awiaka, had played a key role in supporting the organisation’s growth and impact.

The 10th anniversary also honoured FOM’s founding members, including Dr Felix Olafisoye, known as the “Great Grand Mentor,” and Dr Damian Echendu, a former NOA President.

FOM hailed the dedication of volunteer mentors who had contributed their time, expertise, and resources to produce skilled and globally mobile optometrists, with more than 20 now practising abroad.

Looking ahead, the group unveiled a bold vision for its second decade, including launching the FOM Online Academy offering virtual Africa-focused optometry modules for continuous learning and development.

Plans also include establishing a state-of-the-art FOM clinical training academy, publishing a bi-monthly journal, and expanding its outreach to more optometry institutions nationwide.

FOM aims to become a fellowship-awarding institution in key subspecialties such as paediatric optometry, contact lens practice, and glaucoma care, among others.

With a clear mission to drive professional development and raise clinical standards, FOM sees itself as a movement shaping the future of inclusive, high-quality optometric care in Nigeria. (NAN)

Edited by Abiemwense Moru