Habibat Daromosu, an ophthalmologist with the National Hospital, Abuja, says glaucoma is the second highest cause of blindness globally after cataract, hence the need to create more awareness.
Ms. Daromosu said this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja as the world commemorates 2018 World Glaucoma Week.
The 2018 World Glaucoma Week, which commenced from March 11 to 17, is themed “GREEN- Go get your eyes tested for Glaucoma, Save your Sight’’.
She defined glaucoma as group of eye pressure related diseases that cause damage to the optic nerve head with reduction in vision and eventually blindness.
She stressed that the need for eye screening and awareness programmes of the diseases cannot be overemphasised as it is the second highest cause of blindness globally after cataract which is irreversible.
“Glaucoma is a ravaging eye disease, with no symptoms or cure but (which) causes progressive damage to the vision until it gets to an irreversible blindness if left untreated.
“That is why it is essential that experts are able to diagnose the diseases as early as possible to delay progression and ensure a large number of people are identified and screened to avoid blindness.
“The earlier the diagnosis, the less damage done and the more vision there is to save.
“However, a number of patients come to the hospital when they have lost their vision completely.
“If diagnosed early and treated, it can be managed for a lifetime with medications, surgery and laser treatment, among others,’’ she said.