By Danmale Abdulmumin, Abuja
The African Council of Optometry (AFCO) has called for the harmonisation of optometry education, professional guidelines and clinical practice across Africa to strengthen eye care services, promote workforce mobility and reduce avoidable blindness on the continent.
AFCO President, Dr Remi Ninkre, made the call at the 49th Annual Scientific Conference and Annual General Meeting of the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) and AFCO in Abuja.
The conference was held with the theme, “Optometrists in a Changing Africa: From Diversity to Unity.”
Ninkre said Africa’s diversity should be regarded as a source of strength rather than a barrier to the advancement of eye health.
He noted that optometry in Africa had evolved significantly over the past decades, moving from a profession with limited recognition and training opportunities to one playing an increasingly important role in diabetic retinopathy screening, school eye health, low-vision care and community eye health programmes.
“The modern African optometrist has moved beyond refraction to prevention, early detection and management across the life course,” he said.
The AFCO president stressed that the next phase of the profession’s development required a harmonised framework for optometry practice across the continent.
He warned that differences in curricula, competencies and scopes of practice continued to restrict workforce mobility and slow the advancement of eye care in Africa.
Ninkre disclosed that AFCO had commenced efforts to develop common professional and practice guidelines through collaboration with educators, regulators and clinicians across the continent.
He also appealed to development partners, non-governmental organisations, philanthropic bodies and the private sector to invest in faculty development, clinical infrastructure, digital learning platforms and African-led research into eye diseases, including myopia, glaucoma and diabetic eye disease.
He further urged stakeholders to support the integration of artificial intelligence into optometry education and practice, stressing that Africa should not merely consume AI technologies but become a co-creator of solutions tailored to its eye health challenges.
“We have moved from isolated efforts to continental vision. The next gain must be unity of practice. If we align around coherent standards today, we secure a capable workforce for tomorrow,” Ninkre said.
In his welcome address, President of the Nigerian Optometric Association, Dr Chimeziri Anderson, described the conference as a platform for celebrating Africa’s ideas and commitment to advancing eye care and strengthening the optometry profession.
Anderson said collaboration among African countries was essential to improving professional standards, strengthening education and research, embracing emerging technologies and promoting evidence-based practice.
He said such collaboration would help reduce avoidable visual impairment while contributing to the achievement of Universal Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals.
“The future of optometry in Africa depends on our commitment to work together. Together, we can transform eye health delivery and ensure every African has access to quality, affordable and equitable eye care,” he said.
Also speaking, Chairman of the NOA, FCT Chapter, Dr Njezi Chinedu John Kennedy, urged participants to use the conference to challenge conventional thinking, build lasting partnerships and exchange innovative ideas capable of strengthening comprehensive eye care across Africa.
Meanwhile, eye health experts at the conference advised Nigerians and other Africans to seek prompt medical attention for cataracts, stressing that the condition was curable through surgery.
The experts cautioned against the use of harmful traditional eye medications, warning that such practices could worsen eye conditions and lead to permanent vision loss.
They also advised members of the public to protect their eyes from excessive exposure to sunlight and injuries, which they said could increase the risk of cataracts.
The experts encouraged regular eye examinations, noting that early detection and timely referral for surgery could restore vision and prevent avoidable blindness.
