Free Eye Care Initiative Launched for Glaucoma Awareness

Health experts, including Dr. Iganga Ogbonnaya from the State Institute, have highlighted the critical need for timely diagnosis of glaucoma, which can cause irreversible blindness.

This warning coincides with the commemoration of Glaucoma Week, starting March 8, 2026. The Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Health Sciences, Prof.

Jess Unek, announced a free eye care initiative aimed at providing screenings and treatment for 2,412 patients over a seven-month period. This initiative is part of a broader effort to address the rising burden of visual impairment in Nigeria, where an estimated 24 million people are affected.

The program also includes the distribution of 1,000 eyeglasses at no cost to patients. The initiative aligns with the agenda of President Bola Tinubu to enhance medical education and tourism in the country.

The event will take place at the Institute of Eye Health and Vision Science Research, which is equipped with ultramodern facilities.