By: Joseph Abasi-Abasi, Calabar
The Cross River State Ministry of Health, through its Integrated Eye Care (ICARE) Programme, in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Hilltop Calabar has carried out a free eye screening and treatment exercise for residents as part of activities marking world glaucoma day 2026.
The medical outreach, held in Calabar, provided free eye examinations, medicated glasses and treatment for various eye conditions including cataract, refractive errors, pterygium and conjunctivitis.
Speaking during the exercise, Director of the ICARE Programme, Dr. Luna Akinchon Luna, said the event was organized to raise awareness about eye health and prevent avoidable blindness.
Dr. Luna explained that the 2026 celebration carried the theme “Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World,” emphasizing the need for collective action to tackle glaucoma and other eye diseases.
According to her, sight remains one of the most valuable human senses, yet millions of people across the world continue to live with preventable blindness due to lack of access to proper eye care services.
“Our eyes connect us to the beauty of the world, to knowledge, to opportunities and to one another. Unfortunately, many people still suffer vision impairment simply because they cannot access proper eye care,” she said.
She noted that World Glaucoma Day serves not only as a celebration but also as a call to action for individuals, communities and governments to prioritize eye health.
Dr. Luna described glaucoma as a “silent thief of sight,” warning that the disease gradually damages vision without early symptoms, making routine eye examinations critical.
“Many people do not realize their vision is gradually deteriorating until significant damage has occurred. But with early detection, proper treatment and regular eye checks, blindness caused by glaucoma can be prevented,” she added.
She disclosed that during the outreach, patients diagnosed with refractive errors received free glasses, while those suffering from conjunctivitis were given eye drops for treatment.
According to her, patients diagnosed with cataracts were issued cataract cards and would subsequently be referred for surgical procedures.
The ICARE director commended the Rotary Club for supporting the programme, revealing that the organisation donated more than 150 medicated glasses and other essential materials for the exercise.
Also speaking, the 40th President of the Rotary Club of Hilltop Calabar, Chidinma Martins, said the initiative was part of the organisation’s commitment to community service and addressing critical health needs.
He explained that the club partnered with the Cross River Eye Care Programme to provide free eye care services to residents in commemoration of World Glaucoma Day.
Martins noted that the exercise attracted a large turnout, with over 80 patients attended to at the early stage of the outreach and many more waiting to receive treatment.
“We are providing over 100 medicated glasses and medical consultations today. Everything here is completely free. Nobody is paying for anything,” he said.
He added that the initiative has become an annual event aimed at encouraging residents to take eye health seriously and seek regular medical examinations.
According to him, glaucoma remains one of the leading causes of blindness, but early detection and treatment can significantly reduce its impact.
“We want people to develop the habit of checking their eyes regularly and avoid self-medication. If you notice any issue with your eyes, visit a hospital for proper diagnosis,” he advised.
The Club Service Project Chair of the Rotary Club, Rotarian Dan Nicholas Obun, said the project was undertaken after identifying the need for greater awareness and access to eye care services in the community.
He noted that sudden blindness can be devastating, especially when the condition could have been prevented through early diagnosis and treatment.
Obun explained that the outreach was designed not only to provide free glasses but also to educate residents on the dangers of glaucoma and the importance of routine eye examinations.
He dismissed suggestions that publicity for the exercise was inadequate, stating that more than 200 residents had already indicated interest in benefiting from the programme.
Some beneficiaries who spoke during the exercise commended the organisers for the initiative, describing the free medical services as timely and impactful.
One of the beneficiaries said he came to the centre with neighbours after hearing about the programme and expressed gratitude to the organisers for providing free treatment and glasses.
Several beneficiaries, however, appealed to the organisers to increase publicity and expand the outreach in future editions so that more people could benefit from the initiative.
Health experts say glaucoma remains one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness globally, but early detection and prompt treatment can help preserve vision and improve quality of life.
