The Journal of Nigerian Optometric Association (JNOA) is an official journal of the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA). It is a peer-reviewed international journal that aims to promote the vision and the mission of the association. It also provides a platiorm for the advancement of the Optometry practice in Nigeria and beyond. This edition of the JNOA is a special edition as NOA celebrates its 50 years as an association. In this edition, we present NOA at 50, the National President perspective. Dr. Damian Echendu, the NOA National President, in his article titled “Fifty Years of Advancing Eye Care by Optometrist in Nigeria”, did chronicle the history and achievements of the association for the past 50 years. Also to be found in this edition is some research reviews in Optometry and eye health. These researches were put together by a coterie of experts in various aspects and sub specialties in Optometry and vision sciences.

 

Areas such as Eye Care/Vision Sciences and Public Health; Primary Care Optometry, Public Health Optometry, Rehabilitative Optometry and Low Vision Care, Paediatric Optometry, Corneal and Contact Lenses, Ocular Health, Orthoptics, Anatomy, Physiology, Epidemiology, Economics and Sociology of Vision and Blindness, Ocular Biomedics, Optics and Instrumentation have been highlighted. Ovenseri-Ogbomo and Nosakhoro in their research titled Age, Amplitude of Accommodation and Near Addition Power of Adult Nigerians, established an inverse relationship between Amplitude of Accommodation (AA) and age and between AA and near add power for Nigerian adults. Egbeahie et al reported the result of a case-control study on the effect of combined intake of Garcinia kola and ascorbic acid on intraocular pressure of normotensive Nigerians. Two public health optometry research in this edition, focused on barriers to accessing eye care services using different research methods. Okoye et al used a qualitative approach and called for involvement of all stakeholders in order to reduce the observed barriers in accessing eye care services in Anambra state, Nigeria, while Ibeneche et al, used quantitative method of data collection and identified no perceived need for eye care as the major barrier to accessing eye care services among adults in FCT, Abuja. Ekpenyong et al presented the result of their study on ophthalmic skill assessment of primary health care workers in primary health care facilities and found out that majority of the workers could not perform basic ophthalmic skills. The Prevalence of concomitant onchocerciasis-malaria infection in Ahani-Achi community, Enugu State, Nigeria was investigated by Akujobi et al, who reported high prevalence of co-infection of onchocerciasis and malaria and recommended a more radical and integrated approach involving all stakeholders in other to control these diseases. Okonji and Darlington, in their research article that focused on low vision and rehabilitation of the elderly concluded that rehabilitation for outdoor activities should be the base of low vision care.

 

Masiwa and Mhizha presented a case study on contact lens fiting in the presence of corneal ectasia post penetrating keratoplasty and cataract surgery, while Ahuama et al researched on ocular trauma and recommended the use of ocular trauma score as a tool in predicting prognosis of ocular trauma and counselling patients. Iyamu and Okukpon presented the relationship between central corneal thickness, vitreous chamber depth and axial length of adults in a Nigerian population. We hope to maintain a high standard in the quality of articles and topical issues in eye care published in this journal. Articles are subjected to a fair peer-review process by a team of experts. We, therefore, invite submission of high-quality research on unique issues of public health importance in vision health which can improve Optometry practice thus enhancing the eye health of the public. We also call for editorials on contemporary issues of concern in Optometry in Nigeria. Our overall objective is to make the journal of Nigerian Optometric Association a high impact factor journal in Nigeria and globally. Journal of the Nigerian Optometric Association

 

Dr. Bernadine Nsa Ekpenyong

Editor-in-chief

 

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