Gov. Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers has urged residents of the state to give priority attention to their eye health through regular screening.
Fubara made the call in a message to commemorate the 2026 World Glaucoma Day on Thursday in Port Harcourt.
He described glaucoma as a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, saying that it is important to ensure early detection to avoid total vision loss.
The governor urged Rivers residents to take advantage of available healthcare facilities in the state to check the state of their eyes.
“I encourage everyone, especially those that are above 40 years of age or those with family history of vision impairment to visit any of our healthcare facilities for checks,” he said.
Fubara reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening the healthcare sector and supporting initiatives aimed at promoting eye health and reducing cases of preventable blindness.
“Let’s work together to achieve a glaucoma-free state, good eyesight is an invaluable asset,” he said.
It would be recalled that March 12 is annually observed as World Glaucoma Day.
The day is used to raise awareness about glaucoma, often described as the ‘silent thief of sight’ which progresses without noticeable symptoms until significant vision loss occurs.
Health experts say no fewer than 75 million people are affected by glaucoma globally, with about 50 per cent unaware of their condition.
