To prevent blindness, regular eye test is key – Onakoya

• Glaucoma has been the 2nd leading cause of blindness worldwide and in Nigeria as well. In view of this, creating awareness about this disease cannot be overemphasized. It is for this reason that the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, LUTH, Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria in collaboration with Glaucoma Society of Nigeria and Pfizer Specialities held a walk from the National Stadium to Ojuelegba in Lagos early on Saturday, March 18, 2017, to sensitise members of the public about Glaucoma.

This awareness was the climax of a long week of different activities carried out to raise awareness about glaucoma in commemoration of the 2017 World Glaucoma tagged “Beat Invisible Glaucoma”.

Over 70 million people suffer glaucoma worldwide with 10 million already blind.

The Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Head, Glaucoma Services and Acting Head of the Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine,/Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Dr. Adeola Onakoya, beckoned on all Nigerians, especially those aged 30 and above to go for regular eye screening in order to detect and treat eye problems or challenges, most especially this glaucoma disease, with early detection processes.

“We are walking for glaucoma essentially to sensitise people to the disease. Our T-shirts are adorned with the message ‘Get your eyes tested for glaucoma’ so that people would know that there is an eye disease called glaucoma. Studies show that only 5 per cent of Nigerians know about glaucoma and it is among those that are being treated for the disorder.

“The message is that you should get your eyes tested so you do not go blind as a result of glaucoma. It is asymptomatic and life-long. If untreated, the possibility of blindness is very high,” Onakoya cautioned.