The President of Nigerian Optometric Association, NOA, Dr. Chimeziri Anderson, on behalf of NOA, salutes the courage of Nigerian members of the American Academy of Optometry for the inauguration of its chapter on Wednesday, 24th April 2024. “This is a huge milestone and a step in the right direction towards improving the clinical standards of practice of Optometrists in Nigeria,”
He stated that the American Academy of Optometry is an association of optometric professionals who strive to stay on the top of their field with like-minded colleagues and a commitment to promoting the art and science of vision care through lifelong learning. It has it’s foundation, the American Academy of Optometry foundations (AAOF)a non-profit foundation formed in 1947, as a philanthropic organization that develops and provides financial support for optometric research and education in vision and eye health to improve clinical patient care.
Similar to the Nigeria Optometric Association, the American Optometric Association (AOA) is a recognized authority for eye and vision care in America, whose mission is to advocate for the profession and serve doctors of Optometry in meeting the health and vision care needs of the public.
The Optometrists workforce in the United States of America in 2021 was 40,867 (48.5% women and 51.5% men), which is the highest in North America. This statistic is consistent with Nigeria’s data, which has about 7,000 Optometrists and is the largest Optometry workforce in Africa.
The American Academy of Optometry (AAO) has enjoyed a robust relationship with the American Optometric Association (AOA) from inception and has remained a strong pathfinder in Optometric research dedicated to improving the practice standards of the professionals. We advocate that the American Academy of Optometry- Nigeria chapter will help strengthen our research skills, continuing professional education through a synergy that AAO Nigeria and NOA can explore as their counterparts do in America.
NOA is poised to partner with AAO Nigeria to achieve the goals of AAO, and we are full of expectations from AAO Nigeria in areas that can be beneficial to us now and in the future. I pray that our programs should synergize and leverage the rich resources of the American Academy of Optometry to bridge the gap in our weak health education systems and improved the relationship so that Nigerian Optometrists may enjoy the same waivers in America as currently obtainable in the UK.
NOA is excited to extend a hand of fellowship to the Nigeria chapter of the American Academy of Optometry and is looking forward to a greater positive impact of this relationship on the body of Optometrists in Nigeria. You are welcomed on board.
Dr. Anderson Chimeziri
President, NOA