At least 24 million Nigerians are currently living with sight loss, according to the Vice Chancellor of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu, Professor Jesse Uneke.

Speaking during the launch of the university’s Free Eye Care Initiative and Eye Research Programme at the Institute for Eye Health and Visual Sciences Research (IEHVSR) in Ebonyi State, Uneke highlighted the growing crisis of visual impairment in the country.

Citing findings from the Nigeria National Blindness and Visual Impairment Survey, he revealed that 4.2% of Nigerians over 40 are blind, while 4.25 million adults above 40 suffer moderate to severe visual impairment.

He explained that 84% of blindness cases in Nigeria are preventable, stressing the need for regular eye checks, awareness campaigns, and affordable treatments.

“Blindness in Nigeria is closely linked with increasing age and poor literacy. Cataracts and uncorrected refractive errors remain the leading causes, but glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration, trauma, and infections are also major contributors,” Uneke said.

The don lamented that limited access to basic eye care, especially in rural areas, worsens the problem.

To tackle the challenge, DUFUHS, with support from TETFund, has established a state-of-the-art Ultramodern Eye Centre and IEHVSR. The facility will focus on research, training, and patient care, in line with the World Health Organisation’s SPECS 2030 initiative, which aims to expand access to affordable vision care globally.

According to Uneke, the centre’s primary goals include:

Expanding access to eye services in rural areas.

Raising awareness about the importance of eye examinations.

Providing affordable treatment for the less privileged.

Developing sustainable strategies for long-term vision care.

He assured that DUFUHS would continue to strengthen its research, training, and community health programmes in line with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, with a mission to curb both medical and educational tourism.