By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna The National Eye Centre (NEC), Kaduna, has organized an awareness lecture to educate Nigerians abo...
By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The National Eye Centre (NEC), Kaduna, has organized an awareness lecture to educate Nigerians about glaucoma as part of activities marking the 2025 World Glaucoma Week.
The event, held on Wednesday at the NEC Kaduna, brought together students from selected schools, civil society organizations, media professionals, and other stakeholders.
Speaking at the event, the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of NEC Kaduna, Dr. Amina Hassan Wali, emphasized the global significance of World Glaucoma Week. She noted that the observance is aimed at raising awareness about the disease, its complications, and the high cost of blindness associated with it.
“This is a day set aside by the glaucoma society to create awareness about the disease, its complications, and the importance of early detection,” she said.
Dr. Wali highlighted the role of the National Eye Centre as Nigeria’s apex eye care institution, stressing the need for public education and regular eye screenings.
“We are using this opportunity to educate people about glaucoma and to emphasize the importance of eye screening. As part of this campaign, we are offering free eye screenings to nearby communities, and those diagnosed with the disease will receive free treatment and surgery,” she added.
However, she lamented the challenges in managing the disease, noting that glaucoma is an irreversible cause of blindness.
"If detected early, it can be managed, preventing total blindness. Since glaucoma is a lifelong disease, those diagnosed require continuous follow-up. There are various treatment options, including laser surgery, conventional surgery, and medications. However, high-quality medications are expensive, and some patients require multiple eye drops, which many Nigerians cannot afford. This is why we often recommend surgery as the first-line treatment for most patients," she explained.
Dr. Asiya Kanan, a consultant ophthalmologist at NEC’s Glaucoma Clinic, cautioned against the use of traditional remedies for eye conditions.
"Traditional medications are often harmful to the eyes. In conventional medicine, treatments undergo extensive research to ensure safety. However, traditional healers do not follow such protocols, and their treatments can worsen the condition. I strongly advise against using traditional remedies for any eye condition," she warned.
A glaucoma patient, Ali Maidugu, shared his experience, speaking in Hausa about the challenges of living with the disease.
"Life with glaucoma is not easy. The eyes are the key to the body, and you only realize their importance when you have a problem like glaucoma. At first, I thought my symptoms were due to dandruff, and by the time I realized the seriousness of the condition, it was too late. People need to be more aware of glaucoma and get regular check-ups to prevent complications," he said.
He urged the public to prioritize early diagnosis and avoid traditional treatments, stressing that awareness and preventive measures are crucial in tackling the disease.
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