NGO Launches Vision Health Detective App

A Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO), Eleta Eye Foundation, has launched a Vision Health Detective (VHD) App and Partnership for Sight Innovative of Nigeria (PASSION) project, aimed at increasing access to eye-care and restoring sight to those with avoidable blindness.
The Executive Director, Eleta Eye Foundation, Dr. Oluwagboyega Ajayi, made this known at the formal launching of PASSION, and presentation of VHF App in Ibadan, weekend.
The project was launched by the Centre for Eye Health and Innovation of the Eleta Eye Institute.
Ajayi explained that the PASSION initiative was to prevent blindness and to restore sight to those having avoidable blindness.
According to him, both young and very old people need regular eye check.
“The young from two, three to five years of age should have an eye check once a year, because there may be eye issues that would not give early symptoms.
“Adults above the age of 10 to 15 should have an eye examination once every two years. But, anyone above 40 should do an eye examination every year, because there are some eye diseases that their risks increase with age such as glaucoma”, he said.
Ajayi said eating foods like Garri that was not well processed would expose one to developing eye problems, adding that, eating a balanced diet would prevent blindness.
“When well processed garri is taken, in conjunction with good soups, plenty of vegetables, there is nothing to fear.
“Other causes of eye problems are drinking of local drinks that contain wood alcohol, because of its toxic contents, smoking cigarettes and use of certain drugs, among others,” he said.
Ajayi urged people to be careful when using herbal remedies for treatment of eye problems, saying that some of them lacked standard.