The Federal Government yesterday disclosed that virtually all Nigerians were at risk of glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness, given that one of the risk factors of the eye disease was African ancestry.

Glaucoma is the second most common cause of blindness and the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. It is an eye condition in which the optic nerve is progressively and irreversibly damaged, resulting to loss of peripheral vision in the beginning, and blindness at advanced stages.

Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Salako made the disclosure at a press briefing in commemoration of the World Glaucoma Week themed, “Uniting for a glaucoma free world; see the future clearly.”

Represented by the Director of Port Health Services, Dr Akpan Nse, said the minister noted that the ministry recently developed and launched the National Glaucoma Screening and Treatment Guidelines to offer clinical and programmatic guidance for glaucoma screening and management.

He said: “Glaucoma is reported to affect an estimated 60.5 million people worldwide, about 87 per cent of which are living in developing countries.

“The Nigerian blindness and visual impairment survey 2005-2007 reported that over 4.2 per cent of the Nigerian population were blind; 16.7 per cent was due to glaucoma.

“The risk factors associated with glaucoma include African ancestry, which means virtually all Nigerians are at risk and increasing age (over 40 years). “Recent studies are reporting an earlier onset of the disease and a more severe course in persons of African descent.

“Additional risk factors include a family history of glaucoma, elevated eye pressure, medical conditions that predispose a person to glaucoma such as diabetes and hypertension, refractive errors, eye injuries, thin corneas and prolonged use of corticosteroid eye drops.