By Abdullahi Alhassan Kaduna
The National Eye Centre (NEC) in Kaduna has organized an awareness lecture to sensitize Nigerians about glaucoma as part of activities to mark the 2025 World Glaucoma Week. The event, which took place at the NEC on Wednesday, attracted students, civil society organizations, media, and stakeholders.
The Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the NEC, Dr. Amina Hassan Wali, said the week is marked globally to create awareness about glaucoma and its complications. "It's a day set aside by the glaucoma society to create awareness for glaucoma because of its complications and the cost of blindness."
Dr. Wali emphasized the importance of eye screening, stating that glaucoma is an irreversible cause of blindness, but early detection can prevent blindness. "We are using the opportunity to create awareness of what glaucoma is and to also create awareness about the importance of eye screening."
The NEC is also providing free eye screening and treatment to communities near the centre. Dr. Wali, however, lamented the challenges faced in managing the disease, including the high cost of medication and the need for lifelong follow-up.
Dr. Asiya Kanan, a consultant ophthalmologist at the NEC, presented a paper on glaucoma and warned against seeking traditional solutions for the disease. "Traditional medications most of the time are very dangerous to the eye... I won't advise anybody to go to any traditional eye doctor for whatever eye condition."
Ali Maidugu, a patient with glaucoma, shared his experience, saying life with the disease has not been easy. "The eye is the key to all parts of the body... one may not know or feel the pains until one is faced with a problem, like glaucoma."
Maidugu emphasized the need for early checks and awareness about the disease. "I didn't understand the symptoms early enough... I thought it was dandruff until it got bad. I stress the need to go to the hospital for early checks and stay away from traditional solutions."
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Health