2022 World Sight Day: Expert warns against excessive make-up, eyelashes

By Ojochide Olobo

Ministry of Health, in collaboration with international development organisation Sightsavers, have organised a road walk, today in Abuja to commemorate the 2022 World Sight Day, in Abuja.

Speaking during a media engagement, Prof Afekhinde Omoti, National Chairman, Eye Health Committee, Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH), said that excessive application of make-up/ beauty products and artificial eye lashes contributes to visual impairment and other eye problems.

Omoti stated the need to keep the eye safe and free from artificial beautification products while suggesting ways to enhance and safeguard the eye.

According to him, the chemicals used, bad habits as well as poor make-up hygiene could cause irritation and allergy resulting from the cosmetics.

“There are some chemicals that you may be allergic to. You may react to some chemicals and if you react to some chemicals, you will start itching and have problems in the surface of your eyes.

“Try to clean your eyes very clean from makeups around your eyes very well before you sleep and try not to apply too much heavy makeup around your eyes.

“So that they don’t find their way into the eye or around nthe eye because when it becomes too much insight and starts giving rise to one problem or the other,” he said.

He stressed the need for the public to seek medical help from experienced and reputable experts, rather than seeking health care services from quacks and unqualified persons.

On his part, Director Overseeing the Permanent Secretary’s Office, Federal Ministry of Transport, Dr Hussain Adamu encouraged commercial vehicle drivers to engage in regular eye check up to curb eye defect.

Adamu reiterated the commitment of the federal government towards transport sector, urging drivers to check their eyes atleast once a year to eliminate visual impairment and blindness.

Similarly, National President, Female Drivers Association in Nigeria, Mrs Eunice Odieghi said that regular eye check will aide in reducing the rates of vehicle accidents and deaths.

Alhaji Musa Mohammed, National President, Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), emphasized that the need to protect and check the healthy state of the eye.

Mohammed, represented by Alhaji Musa Muhammed, National President, Alhaji Muhammad Abubakar-Bishara, Deputy National President, Administration said, “the importance of this event cannot be over emphasized, it is very important to road transport workers.”

The exercise, was organised by the National Eye Health Program (NEHP) of the Public Health Department, Federal Ministry of Health(FMoH), Federal Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with international development organisation, Sightsavers Nigeria.

In the same vein there was also eye screening exercise held at the National Assembly Complex which was part of activities to mark the 2022 World Sight Day (WSD) with a theme, “Love Your Eyes” annually celebrated every October 13 annually to raise global awareness issues on eye health.