The Nigerian government has issued a stark warning: nearly all Nigerians are at risk of developing glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
Speaking at the 2025 World Glaucoma Week (WGW) press briefing in Abuja on Monday, Minister of State for Health, Iziaq Salako, said that Glaucoma is reported to affect an estimated 60.5 million people worldwide, about 87 per cent of which are living in developing countries, including Nigeria.
“Glaucoma is a silent thief of sight,” Salako stated, represented by Director of Port Health Division, Michael Akpan. “Due to genetic predisposition and other risk factors, include family history of glaucoma, elevated eye pressure, medical conditions that predispose a person to glaucoma such as diabetes and hypertension, refractive errors, eye injuries, thin corneas and prolonged use of corticosteroid eye drops virtually every Nigerian is vulnerable.”
According to the Nigerian blindness and visual impairment survey, glaucoma is responsible for 16.7% of blindness in the country.
Experts warn that African ancestry, age over 40, family history, high eye pressure, and medical conditions like diabetes and hypertension significantly increase the risk.
Permanent Secretary, Daju Kachollom urged Nigerians to take preventive action. “Too many people are diagnosed at a late stage, and the consequences are life-altering,” she said, through National Eye Health Programme Coordinator, Oteri Okolo.
The Ministry of Health has launched national screening and treatment guidelines to combat the crisis. “Early detection is key,” Okolo stressed. “We must unite to fight this disease before more lives are affected.”
As part of WGW, marked every second week of March, the government plans nationwide awareness campaigns, free screenings, and policy initiatives to prevent blindness. “This is a national emergency,” Salako added. “Glaucoma can be managed, but only if caught in time.”
