The Department of Ophthalmology at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC), Ile-Ife, in collaboration with the Ophthalmological Society of Nigeria (Osun State Chapter), commemorated the World Glaucoma Week with a public awareness initiative. The week-long event, from March 9 to 15, 2025, is centered on the theme, Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World, highlighting glaucoma as the “silent thief of sight” and a leading cause of irreversible blindness.
As part of the celebration, the Glaucoma Society of Nigeria and the Department of Ophthalmology at OAUTHC organized a public education webinar and radio talks on Orisun FM, Ile-Ife, and Great FM, Obafemi Awolowo University.
During an interview on Great FM, Prof. Bernice Adegbehingbe, a consultant ophthalmologist at OAUTHC, explained that glaucoma is a blinding eye disease that damages the optic nerve, disrupting the flow of visual information to the brain. She emphasized that the disease is asymptomatic and progresses slowly, making it the second leading cause of blindness across all age groups, from infants to the elderly.
Prof. Adegbehingbe further noted that individuals at higher risk include glaucoma suspects (individuals with family history of glaucoma), people of African descent, and those living with diabetes or hypertension.
The event underscored the importance of routine eye tests every one to two years, stressing that early detection through regular screenings can significantly reduce the risk of vision loss from glaucoma.
This initiative served as a powerful reminder of the need for collective efforts in combating glaucoma and preserving sight within the community.
