More than 400 residents of Warri and neighbouring communities in Delta State received free eye care services during a three-day medical outreach organised by the AVM Terry Omatsola Okorodudu Foundation in collaboration with the Africa Cataract and Eye Foundation.
The programme offered eye screening, cataract and glaucoma surgeries, prescription medication and eyeglasses to beneficiaries from Itsekiri, Ijaw, Isoko and other communities across the state.
The outreach, held in memory of the late Air Vice Marshal Terry Omatsola Okorodudu (Rtd.), who died in 2025, was initially conducted at Agbowu Medical Centre before surgical procedures were moved to Harvard Specialist Hospital, Warri, to accommodate more patients.
A team of ophthalmologists led by the Founder of the Africa Cataract and Eye Foundation, Dr Gabriel Mejuya Okorodudu, attended to patients diagnosed with cataracts, glaucoma, refractive errors and other eye conditions.
According to the organisers, more than 400 people registered for the outreach, with many undergoing cataract and glaucoma surgeries, while over 100 pairs of prescription and reading glasses were distributed.
Speaking during the event, Dr Okorodudu said the outreach was established in honour of his late brother and aimed to provide eye care services to people who could not afford treatment.
He said many of the beneficiaries had lived with vision problems for years because of the high cost of surgery.
“Many people are unable to pay for cataract surgery or glaucoma treatment. Through this outreach, we hope to improve access to eye care for those who need it most,” he said.
Dr Okorodudu also disclosed that the foundation awarded educational scholarships to five students as part of activities marking the outreach.
Some beneficiaries expressed appreciation after receiving treatment.
One beneficiary said the surgery had restored his vision after years of poor eyesight.
“I can now see clearly again. I appreciate everyone who made this possible,” he said.
Health experts have identified cataracts and glaucoma as two of the leading causes of preventable blindness in Nigeria, noting that early diagnosis, routine eye examinations and timely treatment are essential in reducing vision loss.
