Posted on: Wed 03-11-2021

The Head of the Ophthalmology Department, at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Prof. Bola Adekoya, has 43 per cent of blind people in the country are affected by cataract.

Adekoya at a briefing organised to unveil plans to conduct free eye surgery for 100 indigent patients said an estimated one million people were estimated to be affected with blindness among the populace.

The free surgery is a tripartite partnership between LASUTH, Vision Care team from South Korea and Daewoo E&C.

“Research has shown that a quarter of Nigerians have one form of visual impairment or the other. Cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the country, with about one million people estimated to be affected with blindness among the populace.

“Cataract represents 43 per cent of cases of blindness in the country. The good thing is that it is treatable. However, many Nigerians stay away from the surgery, probably due to the financial implications,” Adekoya said.

The expert also identified glaucoma as another common eye disease that had been causing injury, saying regular eye screening and the use of protective glasses could prevent eye injury.

The Chief Medical Director of the hospital, Prof. Adetokunbo Fabamwo, said the Vision Care team would provide technical support, while Daewoo E&C would provide the funding for the surgeries.

According to him, the Vision Care team had been visiting the hospital for the last 10 years and had transferred their skills to personnel of the hospital.

He said, “For the first time, the surgery will be done by our personnel; in previous years the Vision Care team had been performing the surgery while our own personnel observed.

“In the last three weeks, we have carried out screening and have selected eligible patients for the exercise.

“We are hoping that this would be a regular intervention, as it would be of immense benefit to Lagos citizens and in tune with the state government’s agenda to provide affordable health care to its citizens.”

The Executive Director, Daewoo E&C Nigeria, Mr. Yeon Jung, said the sponsorship of the cataract surgery was part of the company’s corporate social responsibility.

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