Imagine driving through the streets of Lagos or Abuja with a dirty, cracked windshield. You wouldn’t get far before putting yourself and others at risk. Yet, millions of Nigerians go through life with blurry or impaired vision, often without even knowing it or worse, without knowing help is available.
This Prevention of Blindness Week (April 2–7, 2025) is a timely reminder: clear vision isn’t a luxury, it’s a right. And just like that dirty windshield, untreated eye conditions can hold you back from living a full life.
The Scope of Blindness in Nigeria
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and research by The International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), an estimated 4.25 million Nigerians aged 40 and above are visually impaired, and over 1 million are blind. Yet, more than 80% of these cases are preventable or treatable, especially if diagnosed early.
Top causes of blindness in Nigeria include:
- Cataracts – the leading cause, responsible for 43% of cases
- Glaucoma – the “silent thief of sight,” responsible for 16.7%
- Uncorrected refractive errors – easily fixed with eyeglasses
- Trachoma and diabetic retinopathy – often linked to poor health education and inadequate healthcare access
Why So Many Nigerians Go Blind Unnecessarily?
Despite the alarming stats, many Nigerians delay or avoid eye care due to:
- High cost of eye treatments and surgeries
- Limited access to specialized eye clinics in rural areas
- Lack of awareness of available treatment options
- Cultural stigmas around vision loss and disability
Eye Care Services Are Within Reach with the Right Support
That’s where Bastion HMO comes in. With our comprehensive health plans, individuals and families in Nigeria can access quality, affordable, and preventive eye care services without the stress of out-of-pocket payments.
With Bastion HMO, you get:
- Routine vision screenings through our partner eye clinics across Nigeria
- Coverage for cataract surgeries, glaucoma management, diabetic eye exams, and more
- Consultations with optometrists and ophthalmologists
- Eyeglasses and medication subsidies for covered plans
- Mobile app access to check your benefits, locate eye clinics, and book appointments
Our mission is to reduce avoidable blindness in Nigeria by putting preventive care in the hands of every Nigerian urban or rural, young or elderly.
Keywords You Should Know (And Why They Matter)
To help you understand and advocate for better eye health, here are a few important terms:
- Cataract – A clouding of the eye’s lens that can be surgically corrected
- Glaucoma – A group of eye conditions that damage the optic nerve, often without symptoms
- Vision screening – Quick tests that detect eye problems early
- Diabetic retinopathy – A diabetes-related complication that damages retinal blood vessels
- Health insurance for eye care – A solution to the high cost of specialist care in Nigeria
Real Impact: How Lagos Reduced Blindness Rates
The Lagos State Blindness Prevention Program has provided over 650,000 residents with free eye care services since 2001, according to the Lagos State Ministry of Health. This shows the power of proactive care, especially when public and private sectors work together.
How You Can Protect Your Vision Today
- Schedule annual eye check-ups, even if you have no symptoms
- Eat vision-friendly foods rich in Vitamin A, Omega-3s, and antioxidants
- Avoid overuse of screens and take regular breaks if you work digitally
- Protect your eyes from trauma, infections, and UV rays
- Use the Bastion HMO app to check your plan’s vision benefits and book appointments
Want to Make an Even Bigger Impact?
If you know someone, an elderly parent, a child with blurry vision, or a friend living in a rural area, gift them a Bastion HMO plan. Because vision loss doesn’t just affect individuals; it affects families, education, productivity, and entire communities.
This Prevention of Blindness Week let’s stop treating eye health as an afterthought. Whether you’re a tech worker in Lagos, a farmer in Kano, or a student in Enugu, your eyes deserve the same level of care and attention as any other part of your body.
With Bastion HMO, you’re not just getting healthcare access to vision, and a future you can actually see.
Click Here to download the Bastion HMO app now to explore your eye care benefits, or click Here to buy a plan for someone you love today.
