A major health stakeholder, Adedayo Adelanwa, has raised alarm over the rising prevalence of eye problems in Nigeria, disclosing that about 23 million Nigerians, nearly 25 percent of the population. are currently living with one form of eye defect or another.

 

Adelanwa, who is the founder of the non-governmental organization (NGO) Ade Ti De Development Initiative, made the revelation on Sunday during a two-day free medical outreach and glaucoma surgery programme held in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

 

He expressed concern that the growing burden of vision impairment poses not only a public health challenge but also an economic threat, as millions of Nigerians living with untreated eye conditions are unable to function at full capacity in the workforce.

 

“If we consider the rate of people who are suffering from eye problems in Nigeria, we have about 25% or 23 million people who are suffering from one eye problem or the other. If this is not addressed, it will continue to weaken the country’s economic capacity,” Adelanwa warned.

 

Also speaking at the outreach, the Lead Optometrist, Dr. Richard Ojeme, identified refractive errors and glaucoma as the two leading causes of vision impairment in Nigeria. He explained that a recent analysis shows 77.9 percent of mild vision and visual impairment cases in the country are linked to these conditions.

 

Ojeme emphasized the importance of proactive measures, citing the World Health Organization’s 2040 agenda, which aims to eradicate avoidable blindness worldwide.

 

The Abeokuta outreach targeted 1,000 patients, providing free consultations, drugs, eyeglasses, and surgical interventions for those in need. According to Ojeme, over 600 patients were successfully registered and treated during the exercise.

 

Outcomes from the programme included:

 

500 patients received medical eyeglasses after undergoing eye tests.

 

50 patients requiring surgery were fully sponsored by the NGO.

 

Dozens more were provided with drugs and follow-up care.

 

Adelanwa noted that the initiative was borne out of the urgent need to provide affordable and accessible eye care, especially at a time when many Nigerians are struggling with economic hardship.

 

Some of the beneficiaries praised the organisers for stepping in where government efforts have fallen short.

 

Adebayo Adedeji, one of the patients, commended the outreach, saying it was a lifeline for many who would otherwise be unable to afford treatment.

 

“This programme has really helped a lot of us. Things are hard, and many people cannot pay for medical care. To get glasses and even surgery free of charge is a big relief,” he said.

 

Stakeholders at the outreach stressed the need for government at all levels to step up investment in eye health. They recommended:

 

Establishment of more community-based eye clinics.

 

Inclusion of basic eye care in national and state health insurance schemes.

 

Nationwide awareness campaigns on the dangers of untreated vision problems.

 

Adelanwa concluded by urging policymakers to treat eye health as a priority, noting that sight is central to productivity and national development.