Optometrists, operating under the aegis of Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA), Imo State Chapter, say Glaucoma, a disease that causes blindness, is prevalent in Imo State, with over 23.5% being accounted.
The Optometrists said they have been working significantly to reduce the scourge in the state.
Speaking during the Flagg Off/Media Briefing for the 2025 World Glaucoma Week Commemoration held at NOA State Secretariat in Owerri on Sunday, the Imo State Chapter Chairman of NOA, Dr. Patrick Iwuchukwu, explained that glaucoma is a second factor after cataract that damages the optic nerve of the eye, resulting in vision loss and eventually irreversible blindness if not well managed.
Glaucoma, though he added, can be prevented if there is a sustainable model for eye health financing in Imo State, early detection and treatment.
“Glaucoma is the world’s second leading cause of blindness after cataract, but the leading cause of preventable irreversible blindness worldwide. 8 in 100 Nigerians over 40 years have glaucoma, 9 out of 10 of them do not know they have it, 5 out of 10 will present blind in one eye, 2 out of 10 will present blind in both eyes”, he pointed out.
He said the event is going to be remarkable as it aligns with NOA advocacy for a unified and coordinated approach to healthcare development, reiterating that it has well-defined structure to engage partners interested in eye care, calling on government, relevant organizations and individuals to leverage on its ‘Anya Di Mma Ndi Imo Platform’ to effectively facilitate a sustainable eye health approach, instead of One-Off Outreach Programs, saying such a collaboration can make a lasting impact on the lives of citizens, hinting that those living in the urban areas have high risk of glaucoma.
The Chairman stressed the importance of a unified and coordinated healthcare development, embodied in the Sector- Wide Approach as advocated by WHO to address the complex issues of eye health in the state and nation, identifying that high cost of medical bills can lead to health poverty, seeking the help of partners, donors and philanthropists to support the initiative.
“Despite its importance, eye health has been overlooked and underemphasized. We call on government for better collaborative engagement in the fight against avoidable causes of blindness, as we advocate for a patient-centric approach in glaucoma management”, he said.
With the Chairman, Events and Planning Committee, Dr Chinenye Ibe, outlining several activities heralding the World Glaucoma Week Celebration to include advocacy visits, media campaigns, free glaucoma screenings, community outreaches.
Advising the public to go for regular eye checks, eat vegetables, fruits, shun unhealthy drinks and unauthorized drugs to be able to overcome glaucoma and eye morbidity, Dr Joyce Iroakazi, Vice Chairman, Dr. Yadirichukwu Eronini (Ass. Secretary), Dr Joy Anuforo (Ass. Group Leader Posterior Chamber), Dr Maryjane Ofonze (Secretary, WON), Dr Amarachi Opara (Chairperson, WOA), Dr Munachi Abiazie (Secretary), Dr Gloria Igwe (Taskforce Committee Chairman), Dr Mary Monica Maduagwu (Low Vision Group Leader), Dr Ugomma Chukwuonu (Facilitator, Posterior Chamber Group), Dr Onyinyechi Umunnakwe (PRO2), Dr Chidimma Amuneke (Chairman, Advocacy Committee), pointed out that Diabetes and HBP patients are highly predisposed to glaucoma.
They urged parents not to ignore complaints by their little children, but subject them to regular eye checks to help them prevent blindness, a case they said is very devastating.
Highlight of the Flagg Off was the Unveiling of NOA Eye Health Data Collection Tool for World Glaucoma Week 2025 by Dr Oluchi John Isiodu, immediate past VP, East, who said the essence of the data is to evaluate numbers of patients to be screened.
Read Also:
Uzodinma doles out N250m to Hezekiah university as wife receives doctorate degree
