Kunle Adelabu
-24 residents to get free cataract removal surgery, 102 get glasses
A total of 24 cataract cases have been discovered out of the 239 residents of Ikorodu at the two-day free eyes screening held between Tuesday, June 21 and 22, 2022.
The exercise, which was sponsored by the Rhoda Youth Centre, Ikorodu, in partnership with the Eye Foundation Hospital and Relief for Human Suffering Foundation, took place at the Rhoda Youth Centre Multiple- Purpose Hall, Abiodun Ogunleye Street, Solomade, Ikorodu.
At the programme tagged, “Free Eye Test and Free Eye Cataract Removal Surgery”, a total of 102 residents detected to have defects were issued with free eyes glasses to aid their reading and sighting by Rhoda Centre.
Other cases of defects discovered during the exercise were 101 cases of Presbyopia, 8 Allergy, 11 Glaucoma, 65 Ref Errors and 9 cases of Ptergium. Some of the screened residents were also provided with drugs.
Most of the residents that spoke with THE IMPACT on the second and final day of the exercise were full of commendations for the Rhoda Centre and two other partners for the gesture given to them.
They said that the exercise was a great intervention for them since they have no means of going to the hospital for treatment.
Mr Rotimi Erogbogbo, Chairman, Rhoda Youth Centre, described the situation as critically serious because many residents were aware that they have sight challenges but kept to themselves because they do not have means.
“What we have seen in the last two days simply pointed to the fact that we have serious situation at hand concerning eyes challenges in our community and there is need for urgent action”, he said.
“This is our own way of assisting the community by preventing many from going blind. We have heard many accounts of residents managing their eyes cases at home since they are unable to afford the payment for treatments.
“Others knew that they have problems with their eyes but didn’t know what is wrong exactly, but through this exercise, we have diagnosed them and let them know what their challenges are”.
Mr Erogbogbo called privileged individuals to assist residents in treating their eyes challenges by also intervening with screening exercises.
Rhoda Youth Centre and its partners would move to Ita – Oluwo/Agbede axis on Saturday, June 25, to continue with the free medical outreach exercise.
The body had earlier in the year organized same exercise during which many residents were provided free eyes screening, glasses and cataract removal surgery. It has also partnered with TREM Liberty Centre, Ikorodu and other organisations for same purpose.
