By Olatunde Ajayi
The Lions International District 404B4, Nigeria, has screened more than 200 members of the public and distributed prescription glasses, drugs and other eye-care materials as part of activities marking the 2026 World Sight Day.
The programme, organised under the district’s Sight Preservation and Eye Health Project, was held on Thursday, with the theme, “Love Your Eyes, Sight for All”.
The initiative featured eye examinations by medical personnel, provision of prescription glasses, eye drops and essential medications, as well as referrals for beneficiaries requiring further medical attention.
Speaking on the significance of the programme, the District Committee Chairperson for Sight Preservation, Lion Funmilayo Oladeji, said the initiative was part of Lions International’s humanitarian commitment to preserving sight and improving access to eye-care services.
Oladeji said sight was essential to virtually every aspect of human activity, stressing the importance of early detection and treatment of eye-related conditions.
“Sight is supposed to be a major part of the body. With sight, you can view things and you can do all things as it were. As Lions, we are a humanitarian organisation with several areas of focus, and sight preservation is one of our core areas.
“We are marking World Sight Day today by bringing members of the public together for eye screening, and referring those found to have conditions such as glaucoma for further care,”he said.
He said the organisation remained committed to ensuring that more people had access to eye-care services, but called on individuals and other organisations to support the campaign.
According to him, Lions International could not single-handedly address the eye-care needs of the population.
“We are trying to do our very best to make sure sight for all is achieved, and we are calling on all meaningful individuals to also join us in this regard because Lions Club alone cannot do it all,” Oladeji said.
He disclosed that more than 200 members of the public were targeted for the screening exercise, while over 200 prescription glasses and medications had been made available for beneficiaries.
“We are screening over 200 members of the public, and we have over 200 glasses to give out, as well as some drugs to help people’s vision. We also provide antibiotics and other medications, with a medical team available to assist.”
Also speaking, President of the Ibadan Hilltop Lions Club, Lion Bisi Shofunde, said the programme was part of Lions International’s long-standing commitment to preventing avoidable blindness and promoting eye health.
Shofunde recalled the charge by Helen Keller to Lions to become “knights for the blind,” saying the organisation had continued to pursue sight preservation as one of its major humanitarian projects.
She said that many cases of visual impairment could be prevented from becoming severe if eye conditions were detected and treated early.
“Every October 8th is World Sight Day, and it is important because the eyes are the gateway of life. Without sight, you cannot do anything. If we are able to give and help people regain their sight, I think that is a great thing, and that is what we are doing today,” Shofunde said.
She disclosed that the Ibadan Hilltop Lions Club had supported cataract surgeries and provided eye-care materials in previous years.
“Last year, my club sponsored 26 cataract operations, gave out over 100 glasses and spent about N150,000 on eye drops.”
Shofunde said the World Sight Day programme was also designed to sensitise members of the public, adding that individual Lions Clubs would continue to undertake eye-care interventions in different communities.
She called for greater government involvement in routine eye screening, particularly for school children.
Shofunde urged government to consider making eye screening part of routine medical checks for pupils and students at the beginning of every academic session.
She also advised members of the public to have their eyes examined regularly by qualified professionals rather than relying on roadside sellers of glasses, stressing that prescribing or dispensing glasses should follow proper eye examinations.
The guest lecturer at the programme, Mrs Adetunji Opeyemi, also spoke on the importance of proper eye care, early detection and preventive measures.
She urged members of the public to pay greater attention to changes in their vision and seek professional medical attention when necessary.
A beneficiary of the initiative, Mrs Mary Akinwale, expressed appreciation to the Lions for providing access to eye screening and other eye-care services.
Similarly, Mr Azeez Sanni noted that the intervention offered members of the public an opportunity to have their eyes examined and receive assistance that could help preserve their sight. (NAN)
Edited by Remi Koleoso
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