By Ayomide Otitoju
The Lagos State Ministry of Health on Tuesday took its glaucoma awareness campaign to the Lagos State Secretariat, Alausa in Ikeja, where health officials, civil servants and eye care professionals embarked on a “Walk for Sight” to commemorate **World Glaucoma Week> 2026.
The awareness walk began at the Ministry of Health premises and moved through several Ministries, Departments and Agencies within the Secretariat complex, including the Public Service Office, the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ministry of Finance, the State Treasury Office, the Civil Service Commission, and the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic.
Participants used the walk to sensitise workers and visitors within the Secretariat on the dangers of glaucoma and the importance of early detection through routine eye examinations.
Speaking during the event, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dayo Lajide, described glaucoma as a “silent killer of sight” that many individuals live with unknowingly until irreversible damage has occurred.
According to her, although glaucoma does not cause death, the resulting loss of vision can significantly affect the psychological wellbeing and productivity of affected individuals, noting that many victims gradually lose their sight without being aware of the condition.
She urged residents to adopt regular eye examinations, particularly those with a family history of glaucoma or blindness, stressing that early detection remains the most effective way to prevent permanent vision loss.
Lajide also disclosed that civil servants in the Secretariat can access free eye care services through the Blindness Prevention Programme Unit at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic, while members of the public can visit general hospitals and selected primary health centres across the state for screening and treatment.
Also speaking, Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Olayinka Modupe Ojo, commended the Ministry of Health for organising the awareness campaign, describing glaucoma as a dangerous condition that often progresses unnoticed until severe damage has been done.
She encouraged public servants to take advantage of government-supported eye screening programmes and adopt healthy lifestyles that promote long-term eye health, while urging ministries and departments to share information about screening initiatives with staff and their families.
In her welcome remarks, Director of Medical Administration, Training and Programmes at the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Mazeedat Erinosho, noted that glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness globally after Cataract.
Erinosho explained that the risk of glaucoma increases significantly after the age of 40 and emphasised the importance of developing a strong health-seeking culture, particularly through routine eye checks.
She added that the awareness walk was designed to educate civil servants and visitors within the Secretariat about glaucoma and the need for early detection.
As part of activities marking World Glaucoma Week, she revealed that the ministry would also conduct screening and awareness outreach at the Sunday Market, Ogba to bring eye care services closer to grassroots communities.
The ministry, she said, remains committed to expanding blindness prevention programmes and ensuring residents have access to early diagnosis and treatment.
In her remarks, Chairperson of the **Nigerian Optometric Association>, Lagos Chapter, Gloria Okoekhian-Ogulu, described glaucoma as the “silent thief of sight” because it develops gradually without noticeable symptoms in its early stages.
She warned that people of African descent are genetically more predisposed to developing glaucoma, making awareness campaigns and routine eye examinations particularly critical for Nigerians.
Okoekhian-Ogulu stressed that while glaucoma may not always be preventable, blindness resulting from the condition can be avoided through early detection, proper treatment and strict adherence to medical advice.
World Glaucoma Week is a global initiative aimed at increasing awareness about glaucoma, promoting early diagnosis and encouraging individuals to take proactive steps to protect their vision.
