| In a media interview on the network service of | | | | over a long period of time without pains and |
| the Nigerian Television Authority, AM Express, Dr. | | | | unnoticed. |
| Mrs Ade, president of the Glaucoma Society of | | | | She stated the risk factors as: |
| West Africa urged the media to adequately | | | | * Intracellular pressure |
| educate and inform the general public about the | | | | * Gradual and painless loss of vision without the |
| scourge of this incurable disease. | | | | patient noticing |
| Glaucoma is a disease of the optic nerves | | | | The black race or Africans are more vulnerable to |
| involving the loss of the retinal ganglion. She | | | | this disease than any other race in the world |
| referred to When asked why the formation of | | | | today are scientific investigations are being carried |
| the society and much emphasis was laid on this | | | | out to determine the reason for this. |
| disease among the other eye diseases. She told | | | | People with diabetes mellitus, previous ocular |
| the media that the major challenge of this disease | | | | injuries, myopia are at high risk of developing |
| was the fact that it had affected a major sect of | | | | glaucoma. Aging especially those above 80 years |
| the populace and unlike other eye diseases could | | | | of age eventually develop glaucoma usually |
| go unnoticed until a stage where it further | | | | characterized by blurred vision leading to the act |
| develops into blindness which earlier on she | | | | of bumping into objects. |
| referred to as irreversible blindness. | | | | Glaucoma is incurable but manageable with drugs |
| The two types of glaucoma are the acute | | | | and medications. These retain the pressure at a |
| glaucoma (open angle), which develops rapidly | | | | minimal damage level. Without clearly ascertained |
| accompanied by pains. The other case is the | | | | symptoms individuals are advised to go for |
| chronic glaucoma (angle closure), which develops | | | | regular eye examination. |