The Vice Chancellor of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu, Ebonyi State, Professor Jesse Uneke, has raised the alarm over the growing number of Nigerians suffering from vision problems.
According to the Professor of Medical Parasitology and Health Policy/Health Systems, about 24 million Nigerians are currently living with one form of sight loss or another, with the majority of these cases being preventable.
He made the disclosure during a press engagement at the unveiling of the university’s Free Eye Care Initiative and Eye Research Programme, held at the university’s Institute for Eye Health and Visual Sciences Research (IEHVSR) in Uburu.
Quoting data from the Nigeria National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey, Prof Uneke revealed that 4.2% of Nigerians aged 40 and above are blind, while 4.25 million adults in that age group suffer moderate to severe visual impairment.
“Blindness in Nigeria is associated with increasing age and poor literacy. Sadly, 84% of blindness cases are due to avoidable causes,” he said.
He added that the leading causes of visual impairment in Nigeria are cataracts and uncorrected refractive errors, which can be treated or managed effectively if diagnosed early. However, other conditions such as glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, infectious eye diseases, and eye trauma also contribute significantly to sight loss in the country.
Prof Uneke lamented the poor access to basic eye care, especially in rural and underserved communities, saying that the situation is worse in low- and middle-income countries like Nigeria.
“Millions of Nigerians do not have access to basic eye checks or treatments, especially in rural areas. This is contributing heavily to the burden of blindness and visual impairment,” he noted.
In response to this crisis, the university, with support from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund), has established a state-of-the-art Ultramodern Eye Centre and IEHVSR. The Centre is dedicated to research, training, and the delivery of free and affordable eye care services to the public.
He said the project aligns with the World Health Organization’s SPECS 2030 initiative, which aims to expand access to quality, affordable refractive error services globally.
According to Prof Uneke, the new Eye Centre will focus on:
Providing free and affordable eye services, especially to the poor
Increasing awareness of regular eye check-ups
Promoting community outreach and early detection of eye conditions
Supporting scientific research and training for eye health professionals
Reducing the number of people going abroad for medical eye care
“This is not just about healthcare. It’s about giving people a chance to live normal lives. Good vision is a right, not a privilege,” he said.
Prof Uneke also reaffirmed the university’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, saying that DUFUHS is working to reduce both medical and educational tourism through its advanced training and health programmes.
“We are committed to ensuring that Nigerians do not have to travel abroad for basic or advanced medical services. Our goal is to strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system and reduce dependence on foreign health institutions,” he said.
He further stressed the importance of partnerships with local communities, government agencies, and international health bodies to make the eye care programme sustainable in the long term.
The Vice Chancellor called on Nigerians to take eye health seriously by going for regular eye checks, avoiding self-medication, and seeking professional help when they notice changes in their vision.
“Many people ignore early signs of eye problems until it becomes too late. Prevention and early intervention are the keys to reducing blindness in our society,” he warned.
With the launch of this initiative, DUFUHS says it is ready to lead the charge in reversing Nigeria’s growing blindness crisis.
