BY CHIOMA OBINNA

Nigeria Optometrists have been urged to go into various researches with a view to generating trustworthy data that would not only set standards but help the government in policy formulation in eye care in the country.

Making the charge at 2011 Annual Conference of the Lagos State Branch of the Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA) tagged; Evidence -Based Ophthalmic Care: The Ethical Way Forward”” in Lagos, Ekiti State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Wole Olugboji said evidence – based practice is appropriate for all aspects of optometry but may be the most useful in the selection of treatment with topical agents and in Optometry”s growing public health role in the detection and management of sight threatening diseases. ““Scientific relevant evidence is essential in clinical care, policy making, dispute resolution and law. As a result, evidence-based practice brings together pertinent, trustworthy information by systematically acquiring, analysing and transferring research findings into clinical management and policy arenas”” Olugboji also advised that optometry should not only be evidence based but also patient focussed in order to earn and retain public trust in their