Dr. Obiageli Oketta, a licensed optometrist with a background in clinical practice, academia, and public health, recently had an insightful discussion with Ruth Ngaruiya, Program Manager at KnowTheGlow. Based in Nigeria, she has dedicated her career to providing quality eye care services, educating future optometrists, and raising awareness about preventable vision problems. Her passion for service and healthcare was evident from a young age, and she has since worked tirelessly to make eye care accessible to communities in need.
Born and raised in Nigeria, Dr. Oketta initially aspired to study pharmacy but was encouraged by her family to pursue a medical career. Her interest in optometry was sparked by a personal experience—her sister’s visit to an eye clinic had a lasting impact on her perception of eye care. This moment solidified her decision to specialize in optometry, a field where she could combine her interest in healthcare with her passion for public service.
Currently, Dr. Oketta serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Optometry at Bingham University, Nigeria. In this role, she enriches the academic community with her extensive knowledge and practical insights, preparing the next generation of optometrists for the challenges of the field. In addition to her academic career, she is the Founder and Medical Director of Cypress Eye Centre Ltd., a facility dedicated to providing comprehensive eye care services. Her leadership at Cypress Eye Centre reflects her unwavering commitment to advancing eye health and improving access to quality eye care in her community.
At Cypress Eye Centre, Dr. Oketta emphasizes the importance of early eye examinations for children. She recommends that a child have their first eye examination between the ages of six and twelve months, followed by subsequent checkups at ages three and five. Once a child starts school, annual eye exams are advised to monitor any rapid changes in vision and to detect potential eye diseases early. Her advocacy extends beyond clinical care, as she actively promotes awareness of quality eye care services, educates the public on eye health, and informs people about available treatment options. She believes in empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their eye health while supporting community wellness initiatives.
Dr. Oketta’s commitment to community outreach is evident in her work with Cypress Eye Centre. She and her team have conducted several outreach programs, including a 2024 visit to Priesthood Orphanage, where they provided free vision screenings, created awareness, and distributed glasses to children in need. She is already planning another outreach program for March 2025, with many more initiatives in the pipeline. More information about her community service efforts can be found on the Cypress Eye Centre’s website.
Beyond her clinical and academic roles, Dr. Oketta is a passionate advocate for eye health education on social media. She uses digital platforms to share medical content and create awareness, addressing critical issues such as the lack of awareness among parents regarding serious eye conditions in children. Many caregivers remain unaware of early warning signs, leading to delayed diagnoses and treatments. Additionally, limited access to specialized care in rural areas and misconceptions about certain eye conditions often hinder timely interventions. Dr. Oketta seeks to bridge this gap by providing accessible, reliable information through her online presence.
As a lecturer at Bingham University, she has also taken to YouTube (Eye Learn Academy) to create educational videos for her students. She recognizes the urgent need to create awareness on conditions such as leukocoria and has plans to develop a series of short videos educating parents and students on the importance of early eye screenings. By leveraging digital tools, she hopes to expand her reach and ensure that crucial eye health information is available to a wider audience.
Looking ahead, Dr. Oketta envisions a future where eye care is more accessible and awareness is widespread across Nigeria. She firmly believes in the power of collaboration, innovation, and community-driven solutions to tackle some of the most pressing eye health challenges in the country. She sees partnerships with organizations such as KnowTheGlow as instrumental in her efforts to prevent childhood blindness and increase awareness through digital campaigns, physical posters, and educational leaflets. She advocates for awareness initiatives in both urban and rural areas, recognizing the urgent need to address disparities in access to eye care services.
Through her ongoing efforts, Dr. Obiageli Oketta is not only making a difference in the present but also paving the way for a brighter future. Her dedication to education, clinical practice, and community outreach continues to impact lives, ensuring that more people have access to quality eye care and the knowledge they need to maintain good vision health.
