Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia First Lady, Mrs Priscilla Otti, Thursday, led the awareness march against glaucoma as a procession of the campaigners marched through major streets in Umuahia the state capital.
The exercise which was part of activities making this year’s World Glaucoma Week had top Government officials and social crusaders in attendance.
Speaking at a rally inside the premises of Workers Secretariat, Ogurube Layout, Mrs Otti represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Adaeze Emetu, expressed concern over the reported prevalence of glaucoma in the state.
She called for collaboration among the stakeholders to raise awareness among the people on how to stem the tide of the eye disease.
The Abia First Lady begged residents to regularly go for glaucoma tests considering the irreversible nature of the ailment and the attendance economic implications.
In a remark, Senior Special Assistant to Governor on Special Duties, Dr Betty Emeka-Obasi, also expressed worry over the rising cases of glaucoma in the South-East.
According to her, one out of every four patients at the eye clinic of Abia Diagnostic Centre, has glaucoma.
She revealed that out of about 5,400 eye patients at the centre screened between October 2023 and February 2024, 1410 of them were diagnosed with glaucoma.
Dr Obasi said about 50 per cent of the patients were not even aware that they had glaucoma until they began to have eye impairments.
Describing glaucoma as the leading cause of blindness, the SSA urged residents to go for regular eye checks for early detection of glaucoma.
She noted that although glaucoma is irreversible, its deterioration could be stalled and managed if detected early enough.
In a lecture, an Ophthalmologist, Dr Anya Kalu, advised glaucoma patients against not adherence to their drug prescriptions.
Dr Kalu who gave the theme of this year’s campaign as “Uniting to Prevent Glaucoma,” called on members of the public to join in the awareness about glaucoma which he described as the “silent thief of sight.”
The Ophthalmologist who commended the Abia State Government for establishing eye care centres at the Council areas in the state unlike in the past, urged residents to go for glaucoma screening at least once a year.
In a remark, Commissioner for Health Dr Ngozi Okoronkwo, represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr Ifeoma Umah-Kalu, said the Ministry was determined to increase the awareness campaign about the monster.
