As we celebrate the World Glaucoma week, the Wife of the Governor of Abia State Mrs. Priscilla Chidinma Otti has urged people to regularly go for routine eye check for better eye sight.

Mrs. Otti who stated this during an awareness Walk through major streets in Umuahia, to commemorate the World Glaucoma week in the State, described the theme of the celebration-"Uniting for a Glaucoma free world" as apt noting the government's determination to reduce the prevalence of the disease in the society.

The Wife of the Governor who was represented by the wife of the deputy Governor Mrs. Adaeze Emetu disclosed that the present government in the State has demonstrated its determination in stemming the tides of the eye disease by engaging professional medical personnel at the various health centers in the local government areas to provide quality healthcare care to Abians.

She called on stakeholders to join hands with the government of Governor Alex Otti to eliminate the disease, adding that glaucoma is silent eye killer.

In a remark, the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Special duties, Dr. Mrs. Betty Obasi noted that the awareness against glaucoma disease is timely because of the ravaging effect of the disease in the society.

According to her, one out of every four patients at the eye clinic of Abia diagnostic center, has glaucoma.

She revealed that out of about 5,400 eye patients at the center screened between October, 2023 and February 2024, 1,410 of them were diagnosed with glaucoma.

Dr. Betty urged the public to avoid patronizing quacks for eye check up and treatment.

Earlier in her speech, the Commissioner for health Dr. Ngozi Okonkwo represented by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of health, Dr. Ifeoma Umah-Kalu urged people to pay adequate attention to their eyes to avoid blindness.

Contributing, the Chief Medical Director of Abia Diagnostic and Specialist hospital, Dr. Agu Francis, and Eye Consultant, Dr. Anya Kalu said the best way of eradicating glaucoma is early detection and medication, and called on eye care givers to sensitize more, the public on the importance of conducting eye check up regularly.

In a welcome address, the State President of Nigeria Optometrists Association, Dr. Onyedikachi Ogbonna commended Governor Alex Otti's efforts in upgrading the health sector in the State and disclosed that the awareness Walk is to remind the public the importance of taking care of their eyes and reiterated that glaucoma is silent killer of the eyes.