Date: 2016-10-18

Dr Feyi Adepoju, a professor of Ophthalmology, University of Ilorin has identified poor nutritional as a major cause of blindness in the country. Adepoju, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Monday in Ilorin, noted that nutrition was an important factor for a healthy sight.

According to her, approximately 285 million people live with low vision, while 39 million people are blind and 246 million are suffering from severe visual impairment. "Sight is so important to all humans and it can be prevented if well treated. The risk of blindness can be prevented if we eat the right food.

"Millions of Nigerians are suffering from blindness as a result of poor nutrition. "Apart from poor nutrition, other causes of blindness could be Trachoma, uncorrected aphakia, Diabetic retinopathy and many others," she said. Adepoju, however, advised Nigerians to examine their eyes once a year at recognised eye centres.

He added that proper medical check ups would help prevent high rate of blindness in the country. She urged the government to design awareness programme that would educate the public on how to take care of their sight to reduce risks of blindness.