Glaucoma Week: Nigeria steps up awareness as experts highlight risk factors

Glaucoma Week: Nigeria steps up awareness as experts highlight risk factors

By Raphael Ekpang

The Ministry of Health and Social Security has reaffirmed its commitment to combating glaucoma and other eye health challenges as part of nationwide activities marking Glaucoma Week.

Speaking at a press conference to launch the week-long campaign, Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, described glaucoma as a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, often caused by increased intraocular pressure due to improper drainage of fluids. If left undetected and untreated, he warned, it can lead to irreversible blindness.

He noted that glaucoma remains a leading cause of blindness worldwide and accounts for about 15.7% of all cases of blindness in Nigeria. Recent surveys show that approximately 5% of Nigerians aged 40 years and above are living with glaucoma, while 90-94% remain undiagnosed and untreated, underscoring the urgent need for awareness and early diagnosis.

Dr Salako said the federal government is addressing the challenge through the National Strategic Development Plan for Eye Health 2024-2030, which prioritizes the expansion of eye care services at primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

“The Ministry has developed national clinical guidelines and toolkits to standardize diagnosis and treatment, strengthen healthcare capacity and improve service quality.

“More than 2,000 primary healthcare workers in the states and FCT have been trained and equipped with basic tools for screening and referral.

“To mark World Glaucoma Week, the Ministry, with state ministries, professional bodies and partners, is launching free screening at selected facilities, public awareness campaigns, community outreach and media education initiatives to expand access to diagnosis and treatment.”

The Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Home Affairs, Dr Magdalene Ajani, an expert ophthalmologist, described glaucoma as the “silent thief of sight”, noting that one in 20 Nigerians above the age of 40 could be affected by it. He urged routine eye exams every two to three years, particularly for those at risk.

He said major risk factors include family history, aging, diabetes, hypertension and prolonged, unsupervised use of steroid medications, especially steroid eye drops, which can increase eye pressure and damage the optic nerve.

“Family history is one of the most important risk factors. Individuals with relatives affected by glaucoma may be up to four times more likely to develop the disease. Therefore, I advise people with a family history of glaucoma to include regular eye exams in their health routine.

“Age is another important factor. People over the age of 40, particularly those of African descent, are at significantly higher risk. Although glaucoma can occur at any age, including infants with congenital glaucoma, it becomes much more common as we age.”

Dr Ajani also advised Nigerians to manage blood pressure and diabetes, protect their eyes from excessive exposure to UV rays, maintain a healthy diet and avoid self-medication. He called on the media, civil society, community leaders and health workers to join the awareness campaign.

Earlier, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Daju Kachollom said the initiative is in line with President Bola Tinubu’s vision of a trillion-dollar economy by 2030, hinged on improving healthcare and citizens’ productivity.

He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to strengthening eye care nationwide and eliminating avoidable blindness as essential to national development.