Prof. Uneke: 24 Million Nigerians Suffer Vision Impairment, Most Cases Preventable

The Vice Chancellor of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu, Ebonyi State, Professor Jesse Uneke, has disclosed that an estimated 24 million Nigerians are currently living with sight loss.

Speaking during a tour of the Institute for Eye Health and Visual Sciences Research (IEHVSR), Prof. Uneke revealed that the centre has provided free eye treatment to 2,412 patients since its establishment in February 2025. The initiative, he said, was designed to support rural dwellers and indigent citizens who often lack access to quality healthcare.

According to him, the patients treated so far include 918 men (38%), 1,302 women (54%), and 192 children (8%). Major conditions managed include 1,352 cases of refractive errors, 627 cataracts, 168 glaucoma cases, and 265 other eye-related ailments. He added that 179 free surgeries have been conducted, while 1,000 free eyeglasses—comprising 400 reading glasses and 600 prescription lenses—have been distributed.

Citing findings from the Nigeria National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey, Uneke noted that 4.2% of Nigerians aged 40 and above are blind, while 4.25 million adults in the same age bracket suffer moderate to severe visual impairment. He further stressed that 84% of blindness in Nigeria is preventable, urging increased awareness, regular eye checks, and affordable treatment options.

He emphasized that cataracts and uncorrected refractive errors remain the leading causes of sight loss, while glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, and infectious eye diseases also contribute significantly.

Prof. Uneke explained that the DUFUHS Eye Centre, supported by the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), was set up to reduce avoidable blindness and strengthen research, training, and patient care in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

The facility, he added, operates with a multidisciplinary team of ophthalmologists, optometrists, nurses, biomedical engineers, and ICT specialists, and aligns with the World Health Organization’s SPECS 2030 initiative to expand access to quality eye care globally.

“The centre is committed to enhancing access to eye services in rural areas, raising awareness about regular eye checks, and providing affordable solutions for the less privileged, while building sustainable strategies for vision care,” he stated.