Medical experts in Nigeria’s Plateau State have raised serious concerns over a sharp rise in glaucoma cases, with health authorities recording over 4,000 new patients within the last year. The condition, a leading cause of irreversible blindness globally, is increasingly straining local healthcare resources and prompting urgent calls for greater public awareness.
The warning was issued by Prof. Alice Ramyil, an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), during a seminar in Jos held to mark World Glaucoma Week. She highlighted that the rising number of glaucoma patients in the state has become particularly worrisome due to widespread public reluctance to seek early medical intervention or undergo regular eye screenings.
“Many patients only discover they have glaucoma when significant vision loss has already occurred,” Prof. Ramyil stated, noting that more than 4,000 individuals were already receiving treatment for glaucoma in Plateau State in 2025, with hundreds of new cases identified annually.
Glaucoma is characterised by its silent progression, often exhibiting no noticeable symptoms in its early stages. The disease primarily manifests in two forms: primary open-angle glaucoma, which develops gradually, and angle-closure glaucoma, which can present suddenly and requires immediate medical attention.
Prof. Ramyil explained that increased intraocular pressure remains the most common modifiable risk factor. If unmanaged, this pressure gradually damages the optic nerve, leading to permanent vision impairment. In advanced stages, symptoms such as loss of peripheral vision, blurred sight, eye pain, and halos around lights may appear, but by then, the damage is often irreversible.
The expert emphasised that early detection through comprehensive dilated eye examinations is the only proven method to prevent total blindness from glaucoma. Treatment typically involves eye drops, laser therapy, or surgery to control intraocular pressure and slow disease progression.
This public health challenge is compounded by low levels of routine eye care among the general population. Prof. Ramyil’s remarks underscore a critical gap in preventive health practices, despite glaucoma being a manageable condition when caught early.
Health officials are using World Glaucoma Week to advocate for broader community screening programs and education campaigns. The initiative aims to destigmatise regular eye check-ups and encourage residents, particularly those over 40 or with a family history of the disease, to prioritise their visual health.
With glaucoma affecting millions worldwide and standing as a primary cause of blindness, the situation in Plateau State serves as a stark reminder of the need for proactive eye care. Medical authorities stress that without a significant shift toward early detection, the burden of preventable vision loss will continue to grow.
