…Experts proffer solution

By Steve Oko

The Abia State Government has outlawed quackery and unorthodox practices in the treatment of glaucoma, following growing concerns by medical experts over the rising prevalence of the eye disease and its devastating impact on vision.

Health professionals raised the alarm during the 2026 World Glaucoma Week Symposium held in Umuahia and organised by the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau.

Chairman of the event and ophthalmologist, Abali Chuku, warned that glaucoma remains one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide, with an estimated 80 million people living with the disease globally.

Chuku, the immediate past Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre Umuahia, said the disease is particularly dangerous because the majority of victims do not realise they have it until permanent damage has been done.

According to him, about 94 per cent of glaucoma patients are unaware of their condition until it leads to irreversible blindness.

“Glaucoma should be everyone’s concern because once the blindness occurs, it cannot be reversed,” he said, urging Nigerians to prioritise regular eye examinations and early diagnosis.

Delivering the keynote address, Professor Bernardine Nsa Ekpeyong of the University of Calabar described glaucoma as the “silent thief of sight”, warning the public against patronising unqualified practitioners.

She identified age, family history, diabetes and cultural beliefs as major risk factors and advised people diagnosed with the condition to strictly adhere to prescribed medications and medical guidance.

Speaking during a panel session, Abia State Commissioner for Health, Enoch Uche, announced that the government had taken decisive regulatory steps to stamp out quackery in eye care and other medical services in the state.

Uche said the state had outlawed couching and other unprofessional eye treatment practices, urging residents to seek medical attention only from certified health facilities.

He noted that the South-East region records the highest prevalence of glaucoma in Nigeria, making routine eye screening especially critical for residents.

The commissioner added that the administration of Governor Alex Otti has strengthened healthcare delivery through expanded health infrastructure and the introduction of digital medical services across the state.

“This is the time for every segment of society to unite in the fight against this devastating disease,” Uche said.

Earlier, Administrator of the Abia State Eye Health Management Bureau, Betty Emeka-Obasi, identified illiteracy and quackery as major barriers in the fight against preventable blindness.

She disclosed that 6,321 glaucoma cases were recorded in Abia State in 2024, underscoring the urgent need for sustained public awareness and early detection programmes.

Emeka-Obasi, however, said the bureau’s interventions have yielded significant results, revealing that over 20,000 patients have received treatment, more than 30,000 outreach programmes conducted, and over 2,000 eye surgeries performed across the state.

She commended Governor Otti for signing an Executive Order in July 2024 aimed at ensuring that no resident of Abia loses sight to preventable causes.

According to her, tackling glaucoma requires collaboration among government, health professionals, traditional institutions and faith-based organisations to effectively curb the spread of the disease and reduce avoidable blindness in society.