The Ophthalmology Department Of The Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH) Joined The Global Community In Commemorating World Glaucoma Week 2025 With The Theme "Uniting For A Glaucoma-Free World." The Week-long Event Kicked Off With An Awareness Walk Around The Hospital To Educate The LASUTH Community On The Importance Of Glaucoma Screening And Early Detection. The Team Also Paid A Courtesy Visit To The Hospital Management To Brief Them On The Significance Of The Week. Welcoming The Team, The Chief Medical Director, Prof. Adetokunbo O. Fabamwo, Commended The Department For Its Dedication And Resilience In Handling A High Patient Load. Acknowledging The Challenging Conditions Under Which The Team Operates, He Assured Them That Efforts Are Underway To Expand The Ophthalmology Department, Ensuring A Conducive Work Environment With Modern Equipment. The CMD Also Stated The Hereditary Nature Of Glaucoma, Urging A Heightened Health Education Programme At Community Level. In Addition, Individuals With A Family History Of The Disease Need To Prioritize Regular Eye Checkups. He Expressed Hope That The Awareness Campaign Would Encourage More People To Monitor Their Eye Health, As Early Detection Is Crucial In Managing The Disease And Preventing Blindness. Speaking On The Condition, Head Of The Ophthalmology Department, Prof. Bola Adekoya, Explained That Glaucoma Is A Progressive Disease That Damages The Optic Nerve, Leading To Irreversible Blindness. She Highlighted That High Intraocular Pressure Is A Key Risk Factor, Though Some Patients Develop The Disease Even With Normal Eye Pressure A Condition Known As Normal-tension Glaucoma. She Stressed That Glaucoma Often Presents No Symptoms, Making Regular Eye Screenings Essential. Unlike Other Eye Diseases, Glaucoma Does Not Cause Pain, Redness, Or Itching, And By The Time Symptoms Appear, Significant And Irreversible Damage May Have Already Occurred. Prof. Adekoya Called For Collective Action In Tackling Glaucoma, Urging Government Agencies, Healthcare Professionals, NGOs, Schools, And The General Public To Unite In The Fight Against Glaucoma-related Blindness. She Emphasized The Need For Government Intervention To Make Glaucoma Treatment, Including Eye Drops, Laser Therapy, And Surgical Procedures More Affordable And Accessible. She Noted That The High Cost Of Medications Remains A Major Challenge, Preventing Many Patients From Adhering To Their Treatment Plans. Other Activities Lined Up For The Week Include Health Educational Talks At Patient Waiting Areas And Free Eye Check-ups For LASUTH Staff. World Glaucoma Week 2025 Is Being Observed Globally From March 9 To March 15, Reinforcing The Importance Of Early Detection, Treatment, And Collaborative Efforts In Preventing Blindness Caused By Glaucoma.
