Cataract leading cause of blindness in Jigawa – Survey

Cataract has been identified as the leading cause of blindness in Jigawa State, accounting for 40.8 per cent of blindness cases, according to a state-wide eye health survey.

The survey findings were presented by an eye consultant, Dr Tafida Abubakar, during a Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB7) dissemination meeting in Jigawa State on Tuesday.

According to the findings, glaucoma accounted for 23.6 per cent of blindness cases, while trachomatous and other corneal opacities contributed 21.1 per cent. Cataract surgical complications accounted for 8.3 per cent.

The survey recorded an overall prevalence of bilateral blindness of 2.9 per cent, with an estimated 19,638 people affected, while unilateral blindness stood at 3.9 per cent, representing an estimated 27,026 people.

It also identified a significant burden of cataract requiring surgical intervention, with an estimated 36,623 people forming the cataract surgical backlog.

The findings further revealed that cataract surgical coverage in Jigawa was 34.9 per cent, substantially below the World Health Organisation’s recommended target of at least 80 per cent.

However, the survey indicated that 90.8 per cent of cataract surgeries involving intraocular lenses achieved visual acuity of at least 6/18, indicating good vision among most patients who underwent surgery.

The survey recommended increased cataract surgical services in terms of volume, quality and equitable access, as well as stronger glaucoma case-finding and management.

It also called for greater attention to corneal diseases, expansion of refractive error services and increased community awareness to address barriers preventing residents from accessing eye-care services.

Responding, the State Commissioner for Health, Dr Kainuwa, reiterated the state government’s efforts to improve eye healthcare services in the state.

He said that, over the last two years, the state government, in collaboration with partners, had treated more than 11,900 people with avoidable blindness-related conditions.

He noted that the state government was also working to make all primary eye-care services free to reduce the prevalence of avoidable blindness in the state.