Citizen NewsNG 
Lagos State Government on Tuesday took its glaucoma awareness campaign to the heart of the State Secretariat in Alausa, Ikeja, as health officials, civil servants and eye care professionals embarked on a “Walk for Sight” to commemorate the Year 2026 World Glaucoma Week.
The awareness walk, organised by the Lagos State Ministry of Health, began at the Ministry’s premises and moved through several Ministries, Departments and Agencies within the Secretariat complex including the Public Service Office, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Ministry of Women Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Ministry of Finance, State Treasury Office, Civil Service Commission and the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic.
Participants used the walk to sensitise workers and visitors to the Secretariat about the dangers of glaucoma and the need for early detection through routine eye examination.
Speaking at the event, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Dayo Lajide, described glaucoma as a “silent killer of sight” that many people live with unknowingly until permanent damage has already occurred.
Lajide explained that although glaucoma does not cause death, the loss of sight significantly affects the psychological wellbeing and productivity of individuals, noting that many victims gradually lose their vision without being aware of the condition.
She urged Lagosians to cultivate the habit of regular eye examinations, especially individuals with a family history of glaucoma or blindness, stressing that early detection remains the most effective way to prevent irreversible vision loss.
The Permanent Secretary also disclosed that civil servants in the Secretariat can access free eye care services at the Blindness Prevention Programme Unit located at the Folarin Coker Staff Clinic, while members of the public can visit General Hospitals and selected Primary Health Centres across the state for eye screening and treatment.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mrs. Olayinka Modupe Ojo, commended the Ministry of Health for organising the awareness campaign, describing glaucoma as a dangerous condition that often progresses unnoticed until significant damage has been done.
Ojo encouraged public servants to take advantage of government-supported eye screening programmes and adopt healthy lifestyles that support long-term eye health, while also urging Ministries and Departments to disseminate information about the screening initiatives to staff and their families.
Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Director, Medical Administration, Training and Programmes, Lagos State Ministry of Health, Dr. Mazeedat Erinosho, noted that glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness globally after cataract.
She explained that the risk of glaucoma increases significantly after the age of 40 and stressed the importance of developing a strong health-seeking behaviour, particularly the culture of routine eye checks.
Erinosho said the awareness walk was designed to educate civil servants and visitors within the Secretariat on the dangers of glaucoma and the importance of early detection.
She also revealed that as part of activities marking World Glaucoma Week, the Ministry would conduct glaucoma screening and awareness outreach at the Sunday Market in Ogba to bring eye care services closer to grassroots communities.
The Director added that the Lagos State Ministry of Health remains committed to expanding blindness prevention programmes and ensuring that residents have access to early diagnosis and treatment services.
In her remarks, Chairperson of the Nigerian Optometric Association, Lagos Chapter, Dr. 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 important for Nigerians.
Okoekhian-Ogulu stressed that while glaucoma itself may not always be preventable, blindness resulting from the condition can be avoided through early detection, proper treatment and strict compliance with medical advice.
The World Glaucoma Week campaign is a global initiative aimed at increasing awareness about glaucoma, promoting early diagnosis and encouraging individuals to take proactive steps to protect their vision.
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