•Dr Priscilia Imade
Blindness is often perceived as an inevitable consequence of aging or fate, but the truth is that 80% of blindness worldwide is preventable or treatable. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), developing countries like Nigeria bear the highest burden of avoidable blindness due to a combination of poverty, lack of access to eye care, poor health policies, and low awareness.
In the month of April, we will focus on Avoidable Blindness, types of blindness, their causes, risk factors, prevention and most importantly, the solutions.
From common conditions like cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy to the role of nutrition, lifestyle choices and government policies, we will highlight how individuals, families and communities can take action to protect their vision.
Growing crisis of blindness in Nigeria
Nigeria has one of the highest rates of blindness in Africa. A national survey conducted by the Federal Ministry of Health revealed that approximately 4.25 million Nigerians suffer from moderate to severe visual impairment, while 1.13 million are blind. Sadly, many of these cases could have been prevented with early diagnosis, timely treatment and proper health policies.
Leading causes of blindness in Nigeria include:
• CATARACTS (50%): A condition where the eye’s lens becomes cloudy, leading to vision loss. Cataract surgery is a simple and effective treatment, yet thousands remain blind due to lack of access to affordable surgery.
• GLAUCOMA(16%): Known as the “silent thief of sight,” this disease causes gradual vision loss with no symptoms until it is too late. Regular eye screenings can help detect it early.
• UNCORRECTED REFRACTIVE ERRORS (10%): Many Nigerians suffer from blurry vision that can be corrected with a simple pair of glasses, yet they lack access to eye tests and some have the fear of glasses.
• DIABETIC RETINOPATHY: A growing concern due to the rising cases of diabetes in Nigeria. Poor blood sugar control can damage the retina, leading to permanent blindness.
• CHILDHOOD BLINDNESS: Many Nigerian children lose their sight due to vitamin A deficiency, measles and congenital cataracts, all of which are preventable.
Why is blindness still a major issue in Nigeria?
Despite the availability of treatments, millions remain visually impaired due to socioeconomic barriers:
1) Poverty & High Cost of Eye Care – Many Nigerians cannot afford the cost of eye surgery, glasses or regular eye check-ups. Health insurance rarely covers eye care, leaving patients to bear the full cost.
2) Lack of Access to Eye Care Services – Most eye specialists and hospitals are concentrated in urban areas, while rural communities are left without essential eye care.
3) Low Awareness & Cultural Beliefs – Many Nigerians ignore early signs of eye disease due to lack of awareness or reliance on harmful traditional remedies.
4) Gender Inequality – Women are more likely to be blind than men due to lower access to healthcare and financial dependence on male relatives.
5) Poor Nutrition & Infections – Vitamin A deficiency, poor sanitation and diseases like trachoma and onchocerciasis (river blindness) continue to cause preventable blindness.
Solutions: How Nigeria can prevent Avoidable Blindness
1) Government Investment in Eye Health – Nigeria must increase funding for eye care services, train more ophthalmologists, Optometrists and integrate eye care into primary healthcare systems.
2) Affordable & Accessible Eye Care – Cataract surgery, glasses and glaucoma treatment should be made more affordable through subsidized programs and health insurance coverage.
3) Public Awareness Campaigns – More Nigerians need to be educated about eye health, early detection and the dangers of self-medication. Schools, workplaces and religious institutions can play a key role in spreading awareness.
4) Stronger Policies & Partnerships – Collaboration between government, NGOs, private sector, and international organizations like WHO and IAPB can help expand eye care programs.
5) Nutrition & Preventive Care – Encouraging a healthy diet rich in vitamin A and improving sanitation can reduce childhood blindness and prevent infectious diseases affecting the eyes.
Conclusion
Blindness is Not a Life Sentence.
Avoidable blindness is a public health crisis, but it is one that Nigeria can overcome. By prioritising early detection, affordable treatment, and public awareness, we can save the sight of millions and improve their quality of life.
Your vision is priceless, protect it! Schedule an eye check-up today.
Let us work together to eliminate avoidable blindness in Nigeria. The future is brighter when we can all see it clearly.
#AvoidableBlindness #EyeCareForAll #HealthyVision #DrPrisciliaImade #ModernEyeClinic #PublicHealth #SightForAll
#SavingSightsChangingLives
@ DR PRISCILIA IMADE
Advocate For The Eradication of Avoidable Blindness in Nigeria.
*Dr Priscilia Imade is CEO, Modern Eye Clinic, Lagos. E-mail: moderneyecliniclagos@gmail.com
Another edition of the column returns on Monday in The Frontier.
