UCH Commemorates Glaucoma Week

By Fasilat Lawal

Nigerians have been advised to take proper care of their eyes so as not to lose their sight.

some medical experts gave the advice at a sensitisation programme to mark 2023 glaucoma week in Ibadan.

According to Chief Medical Director, University College Hospital, UCH, Ibadan, Professor Jessie Otegbayo, Glaucoma damages the eye optic nerve, with no symptoms at early stage.

Professor Otegbayo encouraged  Nigerians to always go for medical check up even when there was no sign of symptoms to avoid complications.

On his part, Head of  Department of Ophthalmology at the hospital, Professor Oluleye Olatunji noted that Glaucoma was the second leading cause of blindness in Nigeria , hence the need to create adequate sensitisation to put an end to it.

Head of Glaucoma Unit in the department, Associate Professor Olusola Olawoye noted that the rate of Glaucoma was high among Africans and could be hereditary.

Associate Professor Olawoye, while speaking on the theme “The world is bright, save your sight ” said the world was endowed with beautiful things to behold hence the need to desist from self-medication.

Glaucoma week, which commenced on the 12th of March, 2023 and will end on the 18th of March, was set aside worldwide to create awarenesses of the disease as it is said to be the second leading cause of blindness worldwide.

According to records in 2020, over seventy six million people had the disease.