As Nigeria joined the rest of the world to commemorate World Glaucoma Week, the Federal Government has urged healthcare providers, communities and individuals to work together to tackle glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Adekunle Salako who made the call in Abuja during a ministerial press briefing, noted that the week-long campaign is aimed at highlighting the importance of regular eye examinations and early diagnosis of glaucoma, a disease that often develops without noticeable symptoms until significant damage has occurred.
Dr. Salako added that through the National Eye Health Strategic Development Plan 2024–2028, the Federal Government is prioritising integrated eye care services to improve early detection and treatment of glaucoma across the country.
The Minister said Nigeria accounts for about 16.7 percent of global blindness cases, with glaucoma prevalence estimated at about 5 percent among adults aged 40 and above.
In her keynote address, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Interior, Magdalene Ajani, said about 94 percent of people with glaucoma lose vision in one eye before realizing they are affected.
The theme for the 2026 World Glaucoma Week, which runs from March 8 to 14, is “Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World.”