Caught in time
Glaucoma affects around 60 million people in both developed and developing countries, and is therefore a major cause of blindness, which, if caught early enough, can be prevented.
In Western countries, a glaucoma check is part of a routine eye test. In Asia and Africa, where eye tests are not as common, checking for glaucoma is more difficult, and is not likely to get picked up until it’s reached a stage where it is much harder to treat.
Fifty-year-old Ahmadu Plufau from Kaduna State in Nigeria lost the sight in his left eye due to advanced glaucoma. Ahmadu, who lives with his wife and nine children, came to Sightsavers partner the Gambo Sawaba Hospital in Zaria City as he was experiencing a build up of pressure in his other eye. He feared that if he were to lose sight in this eye as well, he would have to give up his work as a tailor.
I’m really pleased that my eye sight has been saved and I can continue to support my family
The pressure Ahmadu was experiencing was caused by clogged drainage channels within his eye. When this causes damage to the optic nerve, vision is lost. Glaucoma develops gradually, so many people don’t realise they have it.
Luckily Ahmadu’s condition was caught in time, and he underwent an operation to relieve the fluids in his eye.
After his operation he said “I feel better and the discomfort has gone. I’m really pleased that my eye sight has been saved and I can continue to support my family”.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the third biggest cause of blindness worldwide. It affects around 60 million people, of whom about 4.5 million have become blind. It is common in both developed and developing countries.
Important new data about blindness in Nigeria
A new survey of blindness and low vision in Nigeria has found that nearly half a million adults in the country are in immediate need of cataract surgery.
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