Lagos: As the world commemorates the 2026 Glaucoma Week, the physical and socio-economic burden of glaucoma continues to have a significant impact on affected individuals and their immediate families. Ms Celestina Oahimin, 49, who lost her sight to glaucoma, recounted her ordeal and the significant impact of living with blindness after discovering the disease had affected her left eye in 2013.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Oahimin attended the week-long free glaucoma screening organized by Orile Agege General Hospital for 2,500 residents. She shared that financial constraints further worsened her situation. Oahimin, residing in Ogun State, has been dependent on her brother for care since losing her sight, which has hindered her ability to conduct her business. She discovered glaucoma had affected one of her eyes in 2013 at Ayinke House (LASUTH) and was prescribed daily medication. However, financial difficulties prevented her from obtaining the drugs regularly, ultimately affecting her other eye.
Oah
imin appealed for more support for glaucoma patients through intervention programs to prevent blindness and urged Nigerians to undergo regular eye checks to avoid sudden blindness. She emphasized the importance of government-organized programs like the free screening to help more Nigerians identify their eye health status.
Mrs. Oyeleke Adeyanju, 76, diagnosed with glaucoma in 2023, also attended the free screening. Her mother’s blindness due to glaucoma motivated Adeyanju to seek early medical intervention. She commended Orile Agege General Hospital for providing free screening and medications and encouraged residents to take advantage of such programs.
The World Glaucoma Week is a global initiative by the World Glaucoma Association to raise awareness and combat preventable blindness. The theme for 2026 is ‘Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World’. Dr. Oluyemi Taiwo, the Medical Director/CEO of the hospital, highlighted the importance of early detection and prompt medical intervention for glaucoma, a painless bli
nding disease. Taiwo advised annual eye screenings to detect glaucoma early and start treatment to reduce blindness rates.
Dr. Sheidu Nasiru, Head of Eye Clinic at Orile Agege General Hospital, noted that the week-long program aimed to sensitize the public and provide free eye screening. He explained that glaucoma often develops silently and can lead to irreversible blindness if undetected. Nasiru pointed out that about 50% of people with the condition are unaware of it, with high eye pressure being a major risk factor.
Nasiru emphasized the importance of recognizing unusual signs such as seeing rainbow-like halos and encouraged individuals with a family history of glaucoma to undergo regular eye examinations. He outlined treatment options, including eye drops, oral medications, laser therapy, and surgery, stressing the necessity for patients on medications to use them consistently for life to protect the optic nerve.