The Abia State Government has warned residents to stop patronizing quack eye practitioners operating across the state, especially in rural communities, saying their activities have contributed to rising cases of avoidable blindness.

The warning was issued by Dr. Betty Emeka-Obasi, Administrator of the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau, while briefing journalists at the Government House, Umuahia, on Monday.

Dr. Obasi explained that many unsuspecting citizens have been exploited and harmed by fake practitioners who take advantage of people’s ignorance to prescribe unwholesome substances for their eyes.

“From the inception of this government and from the outreaches and World Sight Days we’ve held, we realized that at the root of most avoidable blindness is ignorance,” she said.

The Bureau will hold a symposium in Umuahia on October 9 to commemorate World Sight Day, aimed at raising awareness about eye health and encouraging residents to seek help only from qualified professionals.

Dr. Obasi also urged victims of quack treatments to visit certified eye care centers for proper medical attention, adding that the state government remains committed to improving eye health services across Abia.