Mirian Gom 
LAGOS, Nigeria – More than 200 Nigerians are waiting for corneal transplants, while an estimated 3.64 million people are living with corneal blindness, highlighting a widening gap between the demand for sight-restoring surgery and the availability of donated corneas in the country.
The alarming figures were disclosed by the Eye Bank for Restoring Sight Nigeria during the unveiling of Nollywood veteran Joke Silva as its Brand Ambassador for corneal donation and transplantation in Lagos.
Chairman of the Eye Bank’s Board of Governors, Dr Festus Odunayo Oshoba, says corneal blindness affects about 1.5 per cent of Nigeria’s population, underscoring the urgent need for increased public awareness and organ donation.
According to Oshoba, the organisation has facilitated more than 95 successful corneal transplants, including 19 procedures involving children aged between 30 months and 18 years.
“1.5 per cent of the country’s population are currently living with corneal blindness. We have facilitated about a hundred. We are still trying to collate the data to have a national register to know how many have regained their sight and those that have had transplants.”
He says the Eye Bank is developing a national register to provide accurate data on corneal transplant recipients and patients who have regained their sight.
Oshoba urges Nigerians to embrace corneal donation, stressing that one donor can restore another person’s vision after death.
“We need to tell our people that somebody you know might be a beneficiary of the organ you are donating. We have tarried enough; now we have to run. That we live for one another is the whole essence of humanity.”
He identifies cultural beliefs, religious practices and misconceptions about organ harvesting as major barriers preventing wider acceptance of corneal donation in Nigeria.
Medical Director of the Eye Bank, Dr Mosunmade Faderin, says corneal blindness can result from infections, injuries and other conditions affecting the cornea.
She explains that donated corneas offer eligible patients an opportunity to regain their sight and improve their quality of life.
“Why should you donate your cornea? It is very, very essential. If you donate your cornea, that cornea can be used to restore sight to a cornea-blind person.”
Faderin encourages Nigerians to consider corneal donation as a lasting humanitarian legacy.
“When I pass and I give my cornea, part of me is still living because somebody else is using it.”
The Eye Bank says expanding public awareness and increasing voluntary donations remain critical to reducing the growing waiting list and restoring sight to thousands of Nigerians living with preventable blindness.
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Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
Oluwatobi Adu 
Korede Abdullah 
Oluwafunbi Bello