•Dr Priscilia Imade
We are rounding up our discussion on avoidable blindness in Nigeria by taking a look at the socio-economic factors that perpetuate this problem.
Avoidable blindness remains a huge public health challenge in Nigeria, with socioeconomic factors playing a major role in preventing millions from accessing essential eye care.
Some of these factors include poverty, poor health infrastructure, cultural beliefs and weak policy implementation as key barriers.
Poverty limits access to eye care
Many Nigerians cannot afford basic eye examinations, prescription glasses or sight-saving surgeries such as cataract removal. As a result, treatable conditions worsen over time, leading to irreversible blindness. The National Bureau of Statistics reports that over 40 percent of Nigerians live below the poverty line, making healthcare expenses unaffordable for a significant portion of the population.
Lack of eye care facilities in rural areas
A severe shortage of optometrists and ophthalmologists in rural areas means many patients never receive proper diagnosis or treatment. Some local governments have no resident eye specialists, forcing patients to rely on traditional healers or untrained practitioners, further exacerbating vision problems.
Low awareness and misinformation
Public education on eye health remains inadequate, leading many to ignore early symptoms or resort to harmful self-treatment. Common misconceptions include the belief that vision loss is an inevitable part of aging or caused by spiritual forces. By the time patients seek professional help, their vision is often severely impaired.
Cultural practices and harmful remedies
Traditional practices, such as applying herbal mixtures, breast milk or even urine to the eyes, contribute to infections and chemical burns that can cause blindness. In some communities, newborns’ eyes are cleaned with herbal solutions to ward off “evil eyes,” increasing the risk of infection.
Insufficient government funding for eye health
Eye care receives minimal attention in national health budgets, with less than five percent allocated to non-communicable diseases, including vision-related conditions. The National Health Insurance Scheme does not cover routine eye care for all citizens, leaving many without access to preventive services.
Poor sanitation and eye infections
Dirty environments and lack of clean water contribute to infections like trachoma, a leading cause of preventable blindness. Open defecation and inadequate hygiene infrastructure, particularly in northern Nigeria, perpetuate the spread of such diseases.
Workplace hazards and lack of eye protection
Workers in high-risk professions, including welders, farmers and mechanics, often operate without protective eyewear due to lax enforcement of safety regulations. Many welders, for instance, use makeshift filters instead of approved goggles, leading to severe eye injuries.
Road accidents and eye trauma
Nigeria’s high rate of road accidents, particularly involving commercial motorcyclists, results in frequent ocular injuries. Without immediate medical intervention, trauma from crashes can lead to permanent vision loss. Road injuries rank among the top ten causes of disability nationwide.
Weak integration of eye care in primary health services
Most primary health centers lack basic eye care services and staff are not trained to detect early signs of eye disease. This leads to delayed referrals and overburdened tertiary hospitals, where many patients arrive too late for effective treatment.
CALL TO ACTION
The Nigerian government should prioritize eye health through increased funding, public awareness campaigns and better integration of vision care into primary health services. Without urgent intervention, preventable blindness will continue to deprive millions of Nigerians of their sight and productivity.
Also, Non-Government Agencies, companies, religious houses and all citizens of Nigeria should join hands with the government to eradicate avoidable blindness from 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.
