By: Lauretta Fagbohun, Abeokuta.

As part of activities marking World Glaucoma Week, residents of Ogun State have been urged to prioritise regular eye examinations to enable early detection and treatment of glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness.

The call was made during an awareness and sensitisation programme held at State Hospital Ijaye, organised by the Ogun State Ministry of Health through the State Committee on Eye Health.

Speaking at the event, the Vice-Chairman of the State Committee on Eye Health, Dr. Oluwatoni Onabolu, warned that glaucoma often develops without noticeable symptoms and may only be discovered after significant damage has already occurred.

She explained that glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damages the optic nerve, usually due to increased pressure within the eye, and can lead to permanent vision loss if not detected early.

Onabolu therefore advised residents, especially those with a family history of the condition, to make routine eye checks a priority.

She added that medical professionals conduct procedures such as fundoscopy and intraocular pressure measurement to detect the disease early and begin appropriate management.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Ogun State chapter of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria, Dr. Olurinola Olukayode, described glaucoma as a major public health concern in the country.

According to him, more than one million Nigerians are currently living with the condition, with an estimated prevalence of about five per cent of the population. He noted that between 1.1 and 1.4 million Nigerians are affected, while the prevalence can rise to about 13 per cent in some rural communities.

One of the beneficiaries of the screening, Lekan Adeluola, commended the initiative and encouraged residents to cultivate the habit of regular eye examinations.

He stressed that early detection remains the most effective way to manage glaucoma and prevent blindness, particularly because the condition can run in families.