Women More Prone To Eye Diseases — Varsity Don

*Over 100 undergo surgery, free screening, others in DUFUHS

By; MKPUMA ENYINNA, Abakaliki

In a proactive effort, commitment and dedication to eradicating eye diseases in Nigeria, the Vice Chancellor of David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Prof. Jesse Uneke, has said that women are more prone and vulnerable to eye diseases.

He said that this is as a result of their exposure to some health hazards in their environment, stating that more than 1,000 women in Ebonyi State and beyond have regained their sight through the Free Eye Care Initiative of the David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences (DUFUHS), Uburu, making them the majority of beneficiaries of the free screening, surgery,and treatment in at the DUFUHS eye centre.

Prof. Jesse Uneke, explained that women account for 54 per cent of the 2,412 patients treated since the programme began in February 2025.

He explained that women are more prone to eye diseases because of their constant exposure to firewood smoke, quarry dust, rice mills, and sawmills without protective gadgets.

“When women go blind, the entire family suffers,” Prof. Uneke said during a media tour of the Institute for Eye Health and Visual Sciences Research, where the project is domiciled, adding that, “Restoring their sight is not just healthcare, it is economic empowerment.”

Speaking with one of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Theresa Idenyi, who underwent a free cataract surgery, she said that her life has been transformed.

“Before the surgery, my eyes poured water and I could not go out in the sun. Now I see clearly even without glasses. Everything here is free,” she said.

The Vice Chancellor further noted that the initiative has so far conducted 179 surgeries and distributed 1,000 eyeglasses to patients at no cost.

“A typical clinic day sees more than 100 people screened and treated. In other hospitals, cataract surgery costs between ₦250,000 and ₦800,000. Here, it is free,” said consultant ophthalmologist, Dr. Emmanuel Onah.

“The programme is sustained through the DUFUHS Health Endowment Fund, supported by philanthropists, organizations, and even the university staff themselves,” he added.

Prof. Uneke revealed that staff voluntarily contributed ₦25 million from their salaries, while the NNPC sponsored 80 free surgeries.

Dr. Onah Emmanuel, said the services have attracted patients from Enugu, Cross River, Benue, Delta, and Imo states.

“No patient pays consultation fees, surgery costs, or drug expenses. Every service is completely free,” he emphasized.

“Beyond treatment, the initiative doubles as a research and training hub, studying common eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, refractive errors, and diabetic retinopathy, while offering students practical exposure to patient care,” he said.

Prof. Uneke said the university plans to replicate the model with 16 more specialized centres, including Cancer, Renal, Dental, and Neuroscience centres, with the immediate community as first beneficiaries.

With the testimonies of women like Mrs. Idenyi, the Umahi University Eye Centre is being hailed as a model of community-based healthcare and a beacon of hope for rural women battling preventable blindness.

The free eye screening, surgery, and treatment is designed to accommodate both men and women, including children across the country.