As Ogun State joined the rest of the world to mark World Glaucoma Week, residents have been advised to prioritise regular eye tests for early detection of the daring eye eye diseases.

Glaucoma, a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve, often caused by increased fluid pressure in the eye, could lead to permanent vision loss or blindness if not detected and treated early.

The Vice-Chairman of the State Committee on Eye Health, Dr. Oluwatoni Onabolu, made the call during an awareness and sensitisation programme at the State Hospital Ijaye to commemorate the week-long global campaign.

The programme, organised by the Ogun State Ministry of Health through the State Committee on Eye Health, was aimed at increasing public awareness and encouraging residents to undergo early screening to prevent avoidable blindness.

Onabolu, revealed that, the disease had an estimated prevalence of about five percent of the population, with between 1.1 and 1.4 million Nigerians affected, while in some rural communities the rate could rise to about 13 percent, highlighting the need for sustained awareness and regular eye examinations.

She explained that glaucoma would often develop silently without noticeable symptoms, noting that people often discover the disease after significant damage had occurred. She therefore urged residents, particularly those with a family history of glaucoma, to ensure regular eye checks.

Onabolu noted that medical professionals were available to conduct procedures such as fundoscopy to examine the optic nerve and measure intraocular pressure in order to detect the disease early and manage it appropriately.

Also speaking, Chairman of the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria, Ogun State Chapter, Dr. Olurinola Olukayode, disclosed that over one million Nigerians were currently living with glaucoma, making it a major public health concern.

One of the beneficiaries of the screening, Lekan Adeluola, commended the initiative and encouraged residents to cultivate the habit of regular eye checks, stressing that early detection remains the most effective way to manage glaucoma and prevent blindness, especially as the condition could run in families.