The Kaduna government says it has targeted 1,000 vision-impaired persons for free eye care services. The exercise, which began on Wednesday, is being implemented in collaboration between Kaduna’s health ministry and Sightsavers.

The free eye screening outreach was part of activities marking the 2026 World Sight Day.

Barbara Marok, programme officer at Sightsavers, stated this at the inauguration of the exercise at Gonin Gora community and the Kaduna State Internal Revenue Service (KADIRS), on Wednesday.

He said that the exercise would be conducted in communities to reach the people and workers in government establishments.

Mr Marok said the outreach was designed to raise awareness of the importance of eye health and encourage early detection of eye problems. He said that the organisation selected different communities for the outreach to mobilise participation and ensure wider coverage in the eye-screening exercise.

Stanley Bulus, an ophthalmologist, said that the exercise targeted between 500 and 1,000 persons in the Gonin Gora community. He said the team comprised ophthalmologists, ophthalmic nurses, optometrists, and other support staff, adding that residents’ response had been impressive.

Mr Bulus, a lecturer at Kaduna State University, listed common eye conditions identified during the exercise, including cataract, glaucoma, eye infections, presbyopia and allergic conjunctivitis.

“Cataract is a reversible cause of blindness, while glaucoma could cause irreversible loss of vision if not detected and managed early. Eye care is something that we need to take seriously,” he said.

Mr Bulus urged the people to take eye health seriously and undergo regular screening, noting that some eye conditions could develop without obvious symptoms.

(NAN)