Foundation launches Vision Health Detective App to prevent blindness

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, has been launched.

Dr Oluwagboyega Ajayi, the Executive Director, Eleta Eye Foundation, an NGO, made this known at the formal launching of PASSION and presentation of vision health detective app on Saturday in Ibadan.

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 who were having avoidable blindness.

According to him, both young and very old people need regular eye check; the young of the 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.

He said that some makers might have mixed alcohol with their products, which could damage the eyes gradually.

Also, the Guest Speaker of the event, Mr Bamidele Samson, called on the government to come up with policies that would compel employers of labour to make provisions for regular eye examination for their employees.

Samson said that such policy should also make the presentation of an eye examination certificate compulsory before a driver’s licence could be approved for any driver.

He called for more education, collaborations and awareness on the knowledge of the avoidable blindness in the society.

Commenting, Mr Lekan Magbagbeola, VHD Software Consultant, said that VHD app enables individuals to self-screen and perform eyesight tests using a smartphone from the comfort of their locations.

Magbagbeola said that VHD app features a fully automated test and random sequence of objects for an individual to acknowledge, if seen.

“With VHD, users will be aware of the information such as how far or near they can see clearly.

“The ability to see details at low contrast levels and it also enables them to be aware, if there are blind spots in vision,” he said.

The programme featured the decorations of PASSION Ambassadors, who would be responsible for raising awareness, among families, members of the public, industry and business about silent causes of preventable blindness.