The Federal Teaching Hospital (FTH), Birnin Kebbi, in collaboration with Sightsavers Nigeria has screened nearly 250 residents of Kebbi State for glaucoma.

The screening exercise is part of activities marking the 2026 World Glaucoma Week (WGW).

The exercise, which runs from March 8 to 14, was organised by the Department of Ophthalmology, FTH Birnin Kebbi, in collaboration with Sightsavers Nigeria, to commemorate WGW.

Speaking at the ongoing free screening exercise at the Atiku Bagudu Model Primary School, Birnin Kebbi, a consultant ophthalmologist and glaucoma specialist at the hospital, Sadiyat Saka-Eletu, said the exercise was designed to save sights.

Ms Saka-Eletu said the week-long programme was organised to raise awareness about glaucoma and provide free eye screening services for members of the public.

She explained that glaucoma is a disease that damages the optic nerve responsible for vision, warning that once the nerve was destroyed, the affected person would permanently lose sight.

She said, “Glaucoma is a disease that affects the optic nerve, which is responsible for vision. Once the nerve is damaged and eventually dies, the affected person will lose sight permanently.

“Unfortunately, the blindness caused by glaucoma is irreversible, unlike cataract-related blindness where surgery can be performed to remove the cataract and restore vision.”

The consultant stressed that glaucoma was particularly dangerous because it often developed without noticeable symptoms until significant damage had already occurred.

“The disease does not usually present with early signs or symptoms. Many people only realise that their vision is gradually deteriorating over time, and within a year or so, they may lose their sight completely.

“In many cases, people wrongly attribute the loss of vision to spiritual or supernatural causes instead of seeking medical attention,” she said.

Ms Saka-Eletu said the screening exercise commenced on Monday at the Abdullahi Fodio University of Science and Technology, Aliero, where 87 members of staff were examined.

She said the team continued the exercise on Tuesday at the Federal Teaching Hospital, Birnin Kebbi, before moving to the Kebbi Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

According to her, SUBEB selected Atiku Bagudu Model Primary School as the venue for Wednesday’s exercise, during which 72 staff teachers were screened.

She added that more than 30 additional staff members had been screened on Thursday, bringing the total number of beneficiaries to nearly 250.

“Our target is to reach at least 300 people before the end of the programme,” she said.

Ms Saka-Eletu noted that some individuals screened had already shown signs of serious glaucoma and referred to the hospital for further medical management.

“We have screened some high-profile individuals, including about four professors, who were found to have significant glaucoma-related issues and have been advised to seek further treatment at the hospital,” she said.

She described the initiative as part of the hospital’s corporate social responsibility, aimed at improving community eye health in the state.

Ms Saka-Eletu noted that the outreach was made possible through the support and generosity of the management of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Birnin Kebbi. 

(NAN)