The Chairman of the National Eye Health Committee of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Prof Afekhide Omoti, has emphasised that prioritising vision care is crucial to improving public health and driving national development.
Prof Omoti stated this during activities marking the 2025 World Sight Day, themed “Love Your Eyes,” “Love Your Eyes at Work,” “Love Your Eyes Kids,” and “Love Your Eyes – Protect the Future.”
He revealed that about 80% of blindness cases in Nigeria are preventable or treatable, yet millions of citizens continue to suffer from various forms of visual impairment.
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“Findings revealed that 1.3 million Nigerians are estimated to be blind with over 80% of these cases being preventable or treatable,” Prof Omoti said.
According to the consultant ophthalmologist, visual health extends beyond the ability to see, it affects productivity, learning, and overall well-being. “Vision is not just about sight; it is also about connection, opportunity, and the ability to navigate the world,” he noted.
Prof Omoti urged individuals, communities, and government institutions to make eye health a public priority by investing in early detection, regular eye check-ups, and accessible treatment.
He cited data showing that as of 2020, an estimated 24 million Nigerians were living with some form of vision loss, including 4.25 million adults aged 40 and above who suffer from moderate to severe visual impairment.
The NMA committee chairman identified cataracts, glaucoma, refractive errors, tropical eye diseases, and diabetic retinopathy as leading causes of vision loss in the country, calling for increased public awareness and stronger policy interventions to combat them.
He concluded by reiterating that every Nigerian deserves access to affordable, quality eye care, stressing that protecting sight is a shared responsibility vital to securing the nation’s future.
