Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Abia State Government has intensified awareness campaign against glaucoma, which experts describe as “the silent thief of sight.”
This is as the State has declared one week of free eye examination in all the eye care centres across the state beginning from March 13.
Speaking at a road march in Umuahia to mark this year’s World Glaucoma Day scheduled for next week, the Administrator, Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau, Dr Mrs Betty Emeka- Obasi, called for collaboration among the stakeholders for sustained awareness campaign against glaucoma.
Dr Mrs Emeka-Obasi who doubles as the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special Duties, noted that awareness remains part of the panacea to the irreversible eye challenge.
She decried the prevalence of glaucoma in the state, revealing that an average of 50 glaucoma patients visited Abia eye care centre every week from January to December, 2024.
Noting that 90 per cent of glaucoma patients are unaware of it until too late, Dr Emeka-Obasi advocated periodic eye screening for early detection.
She said: “Glaucoma has become a prevalent health challenge in Nigeria, particularly in the South-East region. At our Diagnostic hospital eye centre, records show that we treated an average of 50 confirmed glaucoma patients every week from January to December 2024.
“Alarmingly, 90% of these individuals were unaware they had the disease until it was too late. Of course, by the time of diagnosis, over 50% of patients had already suffered irreversible vision loss.
“This is not just a health crisis; it is a societal and economic burden that affects families, communities, and our state at large. Another reason why we must act now.”
Dr Emeka-Obasi who commended Gov Alex Otti for his continued support to the bureau, said Abia now has sophisticated medical equipment for eye screening.
Noting that glaucoma does not respect status and comes with heavy economic burden on the family, Dr Emeka-Obasi urged Abia residents not to joke with their eye health but be deliberate about regular eye checks.
In a remark, the Governor’s wife represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Adaeze Emetu, said that State Government had consciously improved health facilities in the state as part of its plans to provide quality health care for the people.
She, therefore, urged residents to approach the facilities and get better health care.
Expressing concern over the high rate of glaucoma in the state, the First Lady encouraged the people to always go to eye examination.
Speaking also, Commissioner for Health, Professor Ogbonnaya Uche, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Blossom Uma- Kalu, said the State Government was poised to combat glaucoma and other health challenges in the state.
Describing “glaucoma as a silent thief of sight,” the Commissioner also advocated regular eye screening.
He said that the Otti-led administration had made serious investment in the health sector as a result of its belief that “health is wealth.”
In a chat, the Chief Medical Director, Abia Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre, Dr Chimezie Okwuonu, described glaucoma as a primary risk factor which is leading cause of irreversible blindness.
He urged people to embrace regular eye examination, noting that early detection and treatment can keep blindness away from glaucoma patients.
The CMD lauded Governor Otti for the on-going transform in the Abia health sector.
He revealed that unlike before, Abia Specialist hospital now has equipment for Lasser surgeries.
Speaking also, the Chairperson, Optometrist Association of Nigeria, Abia State chapter, Dr Onyedikachi Ogbonna, refuted some misconceptions about glaucoma.
She explained that contrary to claims by some people, glaucoma is not a disease for the old age, saying it does not respect age nor social status.
On the reluctance of some glaucoma patients in taking anti-glaucoma drugs, Dr Ogbonna said stoppage of the drugs would only worsen the situation.
According to her, anti-glaucoma drugs are not curative but only preserves what is left of the sight, and slows the progression of glaucoma.
She warned: “The day you stop taking your anti-glaucoma drugs, your sight will just close up.”
Other speakers at the rally urged people with family history of glaucoma to always go for eye tests to avoid sudden blindness as glaucoma normally comes without symptoms.
