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From Isaac Job, Uyo
The Nigerian Optometric Association has urged the Federal Government to engage optometrists across the 774 local government areas to check rising cases of glaucoma in the country.
The association also appealed to government to extend waivers to importers of pharmaceutical products, including lenses, as alternative to reduce cost of equipment and drugs on some diseases.
President of the association, Dr. Chimeziri Anderson, made the appeal in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State capital, during the National House of Delegates Congress 2025 in commemoration of world glaucoma week, with the theme: ‘Uniting for a Glaucoma- Free World’.
According to him, “As per the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) report on vision, there are over 80 million individuals globally afflicted by glaucoma.
“In Nigeria, glaucoma stands as a primary cause of irreversible visual impairment, with a prevalence ranging from between 4.6 per cent and 5.02 per cent.
“The incidence of glaucoma-induced blindness is documented at 0.7. Significantly, the prevalence of glaucoma surges among individuals aged 80 and above, notably within the Igbo ethnic group and the urban populace.”
Anderson explained that the study that put Igbos as the highest in glaucoma was conducted about 20 years ago. He added that the study should be updated to capture the present reality, as the disease has spread to other parts of Nigeria. He commended the National Orientation Agency (NOA) for its enlightenment campaign on the upsurge of glaucoma. He urged Nigerians to take necessary steps to prevent glaucoma, because the health condition is incurable.
The Chairman, National Eye Health Committee, Prof Afekhide Omoti, in his remarks advised Nigerians to always visit optometrists for their eyes checks to avoid total blindness.
