Glaucoma is more prevalent among people in the south east of Nigeria than other parts of the country. Nkiru Akaraiwe, an ophthalmologist, has advised Nigerians to go for eye tests at least once in a year to make sure they do not have glaucoma.
A woman being checked for glaucoma
During the Enugu Glaucoma Symposium, Mrs Akaraiwe, who was the facilitator of the symposium, said glaucoma could only be checked if patients visit medical experts on time before their condition deteriorates.
She said: “If the people have their eyes checked on time, it could be managed, as the disease is without cure, the treatment is for life.”
According to Premium Times, the president of the the Ophthalmologist Association of Nigeria, Sebastine Nwosu, while speaking at the forum, pointed out that the South-east has the most cases of glaucoma in Nigeria.
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He said the severe visual impairment of persons over 40 years in the region is two percent with glaucoma blindness standing at 1.2%, compared to 0.3% in other regions.
Mr Nwosu said: “The statistics shows that Igbos have about eight percent of glaucoma, which indicates that out of a hundred people, one person has glaucoma.”
Rich Umeh, the chairman of the forum, explained that the association was forced by fast rate of proliferation of the disease to organise the symposium.
The symposium was aimed at updating health care professionals on the latest advances in medical and surgical management of glaucoma.
It highlights insights in Glaucoma management, medicals, surgical techniques and the burden of Glaucoma in Sub- Saharan Africa and Nigeria.
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In conclusion, Mrs Akaraiwe, said the association would engage in rapid education and awareness about Glaucoma both at urban and rural areas as one of the preventive measures.
“We will partner with government, churches, media and others to make sure that the awareness reached both urban and rural areas and also provide solutions to the problem,” she said.
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