Professor Jesse Uneke, Vice Chancellor of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, disclosed that approximately 24 million Nigerians are currently living with sight loss. He made this statement while unveiling the university’s Free Eye Care Initiative and Eye Research Programme at the Institute for Eye Health and Visual Sciences Research in Ebonyi State.
Citing the Nigeria National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey, Professor Uneke highlighted that about 4.2 % of Nigerians over 40 are blind, and an estimated 4.25 million adults in the same age group suffer from moderate to severe visual impairment. The survey further reveals that 84 % of blindness cases in Nigeria are due to preventable causes, underscoring the need for regular eye checks, public awareness, and affordable treatment. The leading causes of visual impairment are cataracts and uncorrected refractive errors, while glaucoma, age‑related macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy also present significant challenges.
Limited access to basic eye care in low‑ and middle‑income countries like Nigeria intensifies the burden of sight loss, especially among rural populations. To combat this, the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, with support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund, has established an ultramodern eye centre and research institute. The facility aligns with the World Health Organization’s SPECS 2030 initiative, which aims to expand access to quality, affordable refractive error services worldwide.
The eye centre’s primary objectives are to improve accessibility to eye services in rural communities, raise awareness of the importance of regular eye examinations, and provide affordable solutions for the less privileged. These efforts form part of a broader strategy to strengthen training, research, and community health programmes, consistent with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda. By advancing scientific research, training, and community service, the university seeks to reverse medical and educational tourism.
Through the provision of accessible and affordable eye‑care services, the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences aims to make a significant impact on the lives of millions of Nigerians living with sight loss.
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