ABIA RECORDS 6,381 GLAUCOMA CASES SINCE SEPTEMBER 2024

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Agency Report

The Abia Eye Health Management Bureau says 6,381 confirmed cases of Glaucoma have been recorded in Abia State between September 2024 and now.

The Administrator of the bureau, Betty Emeka-Obasi, disclosed this on Thursday in Umuahia during the World Glaucoma Week 2026 symposium.

The event, themed “Glaucoma-Free World: A Shared Responsibility,” was organised to raise public awareness and encourage collective action against the disease.

Emeka-Obasi noted that the actual number of glaucoma cases in the state may be significantly higher, as many people remain undiagnosed.

She described glaucoma as one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness in Nigeria, adding that Africa bears the highest global burden of the disease.

According to her, factors such as illiteracy and quackery have contributed to the spread of the condition, urging stakeholders to collaborate to address what she described as a “silent epidemic.”

The bureau, she said, has upgraded four public eye health centres and provided services to more than 20,500 patients across the state.

She added that the agency has conducted over 13,500 free eye screenings and carried out more than 2,000 sight-restoring surgeries.

To further improve access to eye care, Emeka-Obasi said the bureau has also established 10 vision centres within primary healthcare facilities in the state.

She noted that Governor Alex Otti signed an executive order in July 2024 establishing the bureau as part of efforts to prevent avoidable sight loss.

Representing the governor at the event, the state Commissioner for Health, Enoch Uche, said the government is upgrading eye care facilities and providing free screening services to residents.

He added that the administration is committed to ensuring accessible facilities for glaucoma screening and treatment across the state.

In a keynote address, Bernadine Ekpenyong of the University of Calabar said glaucoma remains the leading cause of irreversible blindness in Nigeria.

She identified major risk factors for the disease as ageing, heredity, diabetes and high blood pressure, stressing the importance of early detection and regular eye examinations, particularly for individuals above 40 years.

The symposium brought together researchers, clinicians, policymakers, development partners, and religious and traditional leaders to discuss strategies for combating glaucoma.

Highlights of the event included essay and fine art competitions for students, with prizes awarded to winners from participating schools.