Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA and Nigeria Optometric Association Celebrate World Sight Day 2024 with Free Eye Care Outreach for Children
In celebration of World Sight Day 2024, the Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA, in partnership with the Nigeria Optometric Association, Rivers State Chapter, organized a large-scale free eye care outreach across Port Harcourt.
With the theme “Love Your Eyes – Kids,” the initiative focused on providing complimentary eye checkups for children in public schools.
At the flag-off ceremony held at Community Secondary School, Okporo, Dr. Chibuzo Clement George, Chairperson of the Nigerian Optometric Association, emphasized the importance of prioritizing children’s eye care. He noted that undiagnosed visual impairments can significantly affect a child’s education and overall development, advocating for routine eye tests as part of back-to-school preparations.
Dr. George stated, “We want to raise awareness that visual impairments in children are real and can affect every aspect of their lives. Prioritizing children’s eye health should be a top concern for parents and caregivers.”
Rotarian Lilian Amachree, who is also an optometrist, reiterated the club’s commitment to community service, highlighting the economic barriers that prevent many parents from accessing routine eye care for their children. She explained, “Many children have undiagnosed refractive errors, and we felt the need to step in. Our club sponsored this program to ensure that glasses are provided to those in need, no matter the cost.”
The outreach was a tremendous success, with many children benefiting from essential eye care services. The event included eye examinations, treatments, and the distribution of corrective glasses for children with vision impairments. Several beneficiaries expressed heartfelt gratitude, noting how the initiative had improved their vision and academic performance.
One beneficiary shared, “I was having issues with my eyes for some time, and when they came, they examined me and provided glasses—all for free. I am so grateful.”
The Rotary Club of Port Harcourt GRA and the Nigerian Optometric Association continue to make a lasting impact on children’s lives, ensuring that vision care becomes an integral part of their health and education.
Stay tuned for photos and more updates from this inspiring event on our social media pages!
