World Glaucoma Week: FCTA Calls For Early Detection To Curb Blindness
By: Prudence Okonna & Khadija Kawunda
The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has urged residents to prioritize routine eye checkups as part of efforts to curb the rising burden of glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness in Nigeria. Speaking at a flag-off to mark World Glaucoma Week 2025, Wednesday, in Abuja, the Mandate Secretary of the Health Services and Environment Secretariat (HSES), Dr. Adedolapo Fasawe, highlighted the urgent need for increased awareness and early detection of the disease. Fasawe, who was represented at the occasion by the Acting Director Public Health, Dr. Dan Gadzama, said that glaucoma disproportionately affects Africans, with Nigeria ranking among the countries with the highest burden.
She described the disease as a “silent thief of sight”, often progressing unnoticed until significant vision loss occurs.
Her words: “Glaucoma is a major public health problem in Nigeria and is more aggressive among Africans, leading to blindness at a faster rate than in other populations.”
She further revealed that the Nigeria Blindness and Vision Impairment Survey found that glaucoma accounts for 16.7% of blindness cases nationwide, with only 5.6% of affected individuals aware they have the disease.
Fasawe identified key risk factors such as family history, increased age (40+), high intraocular pressure, and African-Caribbean heritage.
She noted that many patients present at hospitals when the disease is already at an advanced stage, often with blindness in one eye.
“Many patients hesitate to undergo surgery, because they do not see immediate visual improvement, while others struggle with access to or medication adherence,” Fasawe explained.
The Mandate Secretary urged residents of the FCT to take advantage of the World Glaucoma Week initiative to get their eyes tested and seek medical attention early; adding that as part of the week’s activities, the FCTA and its partners will conduct public sensitization programmes, free eye screenings, and advocacy campaigns to encourage early diagnosis and treatment for residents.
Head of Ophthalmology Department, Asokoro District Hospital, Dr. Adaora Okudo, while welcoming some of the residents at the occasion, revealed that 94% of Nigerians are not aware of Glaucoma.
Okudo, therefore, encouraged residents to prioritise regular checkups, because glaucoma leads to irreversible blindness.
Meanwhile, the Programme Manager, Eye Care Unit, Public Health Department, Dr. Goodluck Ehiemere, appreciated the partners; Thelish Eye Centre, Tulsi Chanrai Foundation Eye Hospital and Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI) for providing eye care services throughout the outreach to residents.
With glaucoma being a leading cause of irreversible blindness, experts stressed that routine eye examinations remain the best strategy for early detection and prevention.
Abuja Digest reports that FCTA’s call for action reinforces the need for individuals to take proactive steps in safeguarding their vision.
