4.25m Nigerians Visually Impaired — Sightsavers
At least 4.25 million Nigerians are currently living with some form of visual impairment, according to a new report by Sightsavers, an international non-governmental organization dedicated to preventing avoidable blindness and promoting the rights of people with disabilities.
The report, released on World Sight Day 2025, highlights the growing burden of eye health challenges in Nigeria and calls for stronger government intervention to make eye care services accessible and affordable across all regions.
According to Sightsavers, the data was compiled through collaborations with the Federal Ministry of Health, state health boards, and ophthalmic experts, revealing that preventable causes such as cataracts, glaucoma, uncorrected refractive errors, and trachoma remain the leading contributors to vision loss in the country.
“Out of over four million visually impaired Nigerians, around 1.2 million are completely blind, while millions more are living with moderate to severe visual difficulties,” the report stated.
The organization emphasized that 80% of visual impairment cases in Nigeria are preventable or treatable if detected early. It urged the government to invest in nationwide screening programs, especially in rural areas where access to specialized eye care remains limited.
Dr. Sunday Isiyaku, Sightsavers’ Country Director, said the figures are a “wake-up call” for policymakers.
“Vision loss doesn’t just affect individuals — it impacts education, employment, and national productivity. Eye health must be prioritized as part of universal health coverage,” Isiyaku noted.
He also appealed for partnerships between public and private sectors to train more optometrists and ophthalmologists, deploy mobile clinics, and integrate eye health services into primary healthcare systems.
The report further aligns with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) call for countries to include vision care in national development plans, noting that visual impairment can deepen poverty and inequality if not addressed.
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