Nigerian Optometrics Association (NOA) has identified the people of the SouthEast region as the most victims of physical impairment caused by glaucoma.
It warned residents of the zone to be more cautious and be on the lookout for early detection of symptoms and treatments.
They noted that the prevalence of glaucoma surges among individuals aged 80 and above notably with the Igbo ethnic group and the urban populace.
To effectively contain the ailment, national president of the association, Dr Chimeziri Anderson, disclosed that 7,000 optometrists abound in Nigeria, urging the federal government to send the eye experts, at least one each across the 774 local government areas for easy access to treatment by victims.
The medical union also appealed to the government to extend waivers to importers of pharmaceutical products including lenses as an alternative to reducing the cost of equipment and drugs on some diseases.
Marking the World Glaucoma Week/ National House of Delegates Congress 2025, themed “Uniting for a Glaucoma-free World”, Dr Anderson noted that over 80 million individuals are infected globally by the scourge of glaucoma.
“The World Health Organisation (WHO)’s report on vision indicates that 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 4.6 to 5.02 per cent. The incidence of glaucoma-induced blindness is documented at 0.7.”
Anderson explained that the study that put Igbos as the highest in glaucoma was conducted about 20 years ago, adding that the study should be updated to capture the present reality as the disease has spread to other parts of Nigeria.
He commended the association for enlightenment campaigns on the upsurge of glaucoma and warned Nigerians to be preventive as glaucoma remains incurable.
He called for more training programmes for optometrists and the removal of language barriers in rural communities.
The chairman, National Eye Health Committee, Prof Afekhide Omoti advised Nigerians to always visit the optometrist for their eye checks to avoid total blindness.
“Eight of every 100 Nigerians from the age of 40 have glaucoma. Nine out of every 10 glaucoma patients do not know that they have glaucoma while five of the patients come to hospital already blind,” the Omoti disclosed.
