Glaucoma, often referred to as the ‘sneak thief of sight’, and retinal disease, are the leading causes of irreversible blindness in Nigeria, eye doctors have said.
They further noted that clinically, cases of refractive errors, such as myopia, hypermetropia and astigmatism were also prominent eye problems in the country.
The ophthalmologists emphasized the need for early detection to prevent or delay the onset of blindness.
According to the National Eye Institute, glaucoma is an eye disease that damages the optic nerve leading to vision loss and blindness. A glaucoma advocacy blog, Gluacomapatients, notes that about 79.6 million people had glaucoma in 2020 and this number will likely increase to 111.8 million people in 2040. According to data from the Nigeria National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey, 2015, about 4 per cent of adults aged 40 and above have glaucoma. It further noted that 1.4 million Nigerian adults have glaucoma and it is responsible for 17 per cent of blind cases.
The Glaucoma Research Foundation notes that although older people have a high risk of glaucoma, babies can also be born with glaucoma. A retinal disease called retinopathies is another leading cause of preventable blindness. Retinopathy, which could be diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy, is the leading cause of preventable blindness.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology notes that diabetic retinopathy is when the blood vessels in the retina are damaged, leading to vision loss because of the high blood sugar from diabetes. The Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey reports that 20.5 per cent of people with diabetes had diabetes retinopathy and 10 per cent of them were at risk of losing their sight.
The experts agree that enhancing public awareness and education about these conditions is essential for preventing irreversible blindness and promoting eye health in Nigeria. The Chairman of the National Eye Health Committee, Professor Afekhide Omoti, stated that glaucoma is among the top eye conditions increasingly reported in Nigeria. He noted that while glaucoma itself cannot be prevented, blindness resulting from it can be.
The eye expert added that glaucoma cannot ordinarily be prevented but blindness from glaucoma can. “But it can only be prevented by early detection and appropriate treatment. In many cases in Nigeria, surgery is the most appropriate treatment,” the don said. He stated that diabetic retinopathy was another emerging cause of visual and non-visual impairment and blindness.
Omoti stressed the importance of regular eye examinations for diabetics to identify early signs of diabetic retinopathy and treat them promptly. “All diabetics should have a dilated fundoscopy every year to identify early features of Diabetic Retinopathy and to immediately treat them. Also, lifestyle changes should be encouraged to reduce the burden of diabetes mellitus,” he added.
The ophthalmologist further noted that although cataract is the leading cause of blindness, it is fully treatable with surgery, allowing for full recovery of vision. Omoti also highlighted the importance of addressing traumas causing ocular damage, particularly in children and treating refractive errors with appropriate glasses or contact lenses. The leading eye expert advised patients to have regular eye checkups with their ophthalmologists to detect blinding conditions early.
Another eye specialist, Dr Bernadette Aghahon, stated that refractive errors were rising cases of eye problems in Nigeria. She explained that refractive error is when an individual is not able to focus light on the retina, leading to unclear vision. “So, they could be short-sighted, which we call myopia, or it could be long-sightedness, also called hyperopia. There’s one also called astigmatism, in which there are two lines formed, one of the focal could be on the retina, and the other one could be in front or behind the retina. So, we call that astigmatism. So, it’s a leading cause of eye problems in Nigeria,” Aghahon said.
The eye doctor also mentioned that glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy are on the rise due to increasing diabetes rates in Nigeria, as is hypertensive retinopathy. She mentioned that of these conditions, glaucoma stands out for its ability to cause irreversible blindness, while the others can be treated and their resultant blindness reversed. To further reduce the burden of eye defects, Aghahon recommended regular eye checks at least once a year for those without ocular symptoms and more frequent checks for those with eye issues.
She warned against self-medication and over-the-counter medications, emphasizing the need for professional medical advice for effective management of the conditions. “Advocacy through media and lectures can raise awareness about the dangers of self-medication and the importance of proper eye care. Many people are not aware of the risks associated with glaucoma and other eye issues,” the eye doctor said.
