23 million Nigerians suffer from eye problems – Expert

A stakeholder in the health sector, Adedayo Adelanwa, has lamented the surge of eye challenges, saying about 23 million people suffer from eye problems in Nigeria.

Adelanwa made the outcry on Sunday, during a two-day free medical outreach and glaucoma surgery held for residents of Abeokuta.

He insisted that if 25 percent of the Nigerian population suffers one eye defects or the other, it could affect the country’s economy as the problem affects the economic capacity of sufferers.

Adelanwa, the founder of a non-government organisation, Ade Ti De Development Initiative, noted that government at all levels must be committed to providing basic plans to address the challenge.

He said, “If we consider the rate of people who are suffering from eye problems in Nigeria, we have about 25% or 23 million people who are suffering from one eye problems or the other.”

Also speaking, the Lead Optometrist, Dr. Richard Ojeme disclosed that refractive errors and glaucoma are the major causes of vision impairment.

He revealed that 77.9 percent of mild vision and visual impairment are the most common challenges in the Nigerian population, quoting the WHO 2040 agenda to ensure the eradication of avoidable blindness.

“The target is to treat 1000 patients, we have been able to capture over 600 patients, and we have provided 500 medical eyeglasses to those who need them most after the test, we have also provided drugs, and for those who need surgery the NGO said they are going to pay for 50 people for the surgery,” he added.

One of the beneficiaries, Adebayo Adedeji, commended the outreach for helping to tackle eye problems in the society, particularly when things are hard for people to manage their health.

23 million Nigerians suffer from eye problems – Expert