Olufunmilola Taiwo, a consultant ophthalmologist, on Friday warned that frequent changes of one’s prescription glasses could sometimes signal underlying eye conditions such as glaucoma, stressing the need for regular eye examinations.

Ms Taiwo, the head of the ophthalmology department at Alimosho General Hospital, Lagos, said this at a programme organised by the hospital to commemorate the 2026 World Glaucoma Week.

She urged Nigerians to prioritise regular eye examinations for early detection and management of glaucoma, saying it was the leading cause of irreversible blindness.

The World Glaucoma Week is a global initiative organised by the World Glaucoma Association to raise awareness and, together, fight preventable blindness.

The theme of the week for 2026 is “Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World”.

According to Ms Taiwo, one out of every 20 adults aged 40 years and above may have the condition, especially people of African descent.

She added that individuals with a family history of glaucoma, short-sightedness, eye injuries, and long-term use of steroid medications, among others, are some of the risk factors of the disease.

The consultant said, “This yearly glaucoma initiative aims to educate the public about the disease, its risk factors and the importance of regular eye checks for early diagnosis and treatment.

“Glaucoma is a silent thief of sight. It often develops gradually, with no noticeable symptoms, until it reaches an advanced stage. It usually affects the side vision first while leaving the central vision intact. Immediately, if the central vision becomes affected, the disease is often at an advanced stage, and the damage to the eyes becomes irreversible.

“If you notice that you change your glasses within a year and a half, it is important to have your eyes examined, as it may be a subtle sign of glaucoma.”

The hospital educated and conducted eye screenings for various individuals to commemorate Glaucoma Week.

(NAN)