Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has called on residents of the State to prioritise regular eye examinations to prevent glaucoma-related vision loss.
The governor appealed on Thursday at the Government House in Port Harcourt while marking World Glaucoma Day.
In his goodwill message, Fubara described glaucoma as one of the leading causes of permanent blindness globally, noting that many cases can be prevented through early detection and treatment.
He urged residents, particularly people aged 40 and above and those with a family history of eye problems, to take advantage of healthcare facilities across the state to get their eyes checked.
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According to him, his administration remains committed to improving healthcare services and supporting programmes that promote eye health and reduce preventable blindness.
Fubara also encouraged residents to protect their vision, stressing that eyesight is invaluable.
World Glaucoma Day, observed annually on March 12, is aimed at raising awareness about glaucoma, a condition often called the “silent thief of sight” because it can develop without obvious symptoms until serious vision damage has occurred.
Health experts estimate that more than 75 million people worldwide live with glaucoma, with nearly half of them unaware they have the condition.
