In a strategic move to safeguard the vision of its workforce and residents, the Lagos State Government on Tuesday staged a high-profile “Walk for Sight” through the Alausa State Secretariat.
The initiative, held to commemorate World Glaucoma Week 2026, aims to curb the rising cases of irreversible blindness caused by the condition.
Led by the Ministry of Health, the awareness walk traversed several key government departments, including the Ministry of Finance and the Civil Service Commission, as health experts engaged civil servants on the life-altering importance of early detection.
The Silent Killer of Vision
Health officials at the event raised a somber alarm regarding the asymptomatic nature of the disease. Unlike many other ailments, glaucoma often progresses without pain or immediate symptoms until the optic nerve is significantly damaged.
The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, emphasized that while the condition is not fatal, its impact on quality of life is devastating.
“Glaucoma is a silent killer of sight that many live with unknowingly until permanent damage has occurred,” Dr. Lajide stated. “Although it does not cause death, the loss of vision significantly affects the psychological wellbeing and productivity of individuals. Early detection remains the most effective way to prevent irreversible vision loss.”
High-Risk Groups and Genetic Predisposition
Experts highlighted that certain demographics face a steeper challenge. According to Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho, Director of Medical Administration, Training, and Programmes, glaucoma stands as the second leading cause of blindness globally, trailing only cataracts.
The risk factors are particularly acute for those over the age of 40. Furthermore, Dr. Gloria Okoekhian-Ogulu, Chairperson of the Nigerian Optometric Association (Lagos Chapter), warned that Nigerians face a unique biological disadvantage.
“People of African descent are genetically more predisposed to developing glaucoma,” she noted, reinforcing the necessity for routine examinations even in the absence of symptoms.
Expanding Access: From Secretariat to Sunday Markets
The state’s campaign is moving beyond the offices of Alausa and into the heart of the community. To ensure the message reaches the grassroots, the Ministry announced a free screening outreach scheduled for the Ogba Sunday Market.
For civil servants, the government has made screening readily available at the Blindness Prevention Programme Unit within the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic. Members of the general public were encouraged to visit General Hospitals and designated Primary Health Centres across Lagos for evaluation.
A Call for Proactive Health Behavior
The Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs. Olayinka Modupe Ojo, joined the call for action, urging public servants to move from awareness to practice. She encouraged MDAs to disseminate this information to staff families, noting that a strong health-seeking culture is the only defense against a disease that steals sight in the shadows.
As World Glaucoma Week continues, the Lagos State Government reaffirms its commitment to expanding blindness prevention programs, ensuring that the “silent thief” finds no place to hide in the megacity.
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