Health
PT HEALTH WATCH: Delayed treatment of childhood cataracts can lead to irreversible vision loss
Cataracts are often associated with ageing, but eye specialists say children can also develop the condition, sometimes from birth, with delayed diagnosis capable of causing permanent vision loss.
A cataract occurs when the eye’s natural lens, which is normally clear, becomes cloudy. This prevents light from passing properly into the eye, resulting in blurred or reduced vision.
Although the condition is more common among older adults, experts say it can also affect babies and children.
Experts warn that poor awareness, excessive screen exposure, self-medication and late hospital visits are worsening eye problems among children, even as many parents wrongly believe children are “too young” to have serious eye conditions.
Studies reveal that childhood cataract contributes between 7.4 and 15.3 per cent of childhood blindness globally, with delayed diagnosis and treatment remaining a major challenge in developing countries like Nigeria.
The study warned that many children are brought to hospitals after the critical stage of visual development, increasing the risk of irreversible blindness even after treatment.
According to a report on paediatric eye care in Nigeria published by the World Health Organisation (WHO), childhood blindness accounts for between five and 10 per cent of the country’s blindness burden, with nearly 70 per cent of cases considered preventable or treatable if detected early.
The report identified childhood cataract as one of the leading causes of avoidable blindness among Nigerian children, while also highlighting shortages of specialised paediatric eye care services across the country.
Speaking with PT Health Watch, Samuel Osayamen, a senior ophthalmologist, said childhood cataracts are not uncommon and can significantly affect a child’s vision and brain development if left untreated.
Causes beyond ageing
Mr Osayamen explained that cataracts in children may be congenital, meaning present at birth, or acquired later due to injuries, medications, infections or underlying medical conditions.
He said infections during pregnancy, including rubella, chickenpox, hepatitis and cytomegalovirus, can affect unborn babies and increase the risk of congenital cataracts.
“If these infections are left untreated, they could affect the baby and eventually lead to congenital cataracts when the child is born,” he said.
Mr Osayamen noted that genetics also play a significant role in some childhood cataract cases.
According to him, certain genetic mutations and inherited conditions can cause changes in the eye’s lens, resulting in cloudy vision.
He added that maternal use of some medications, such as tetracycline, diabetes during pregnancy, birth injuries, trauma and inflammatory conditions may also contribute to the development of cataracts in children.
Mr Osayamen further warned that traumatic cataracts are becoming increasingly common among children due to domestic accidents and unsafe play.
“We have had cases where children playing at home accidentally injured one another in the eye, leading to traumatic cataracts,” he said.
Signs parents should watch for
Mr Osayamen expressed concern about excessive screen exposure among toddlers and young children, warning that prolonged use of tablets and mobile phones may contribute to vision problems and developmental challenges.
“Some parents give babies tablets for long hours just to keep them occupied. In the long run, it may cause more harm than good,” he said.
He also cautioned against self-medication, noting that inappropriate treatment could lead to eye complications.
The specialist advised parents to prioritise regular eye examinations, ensure proper nutrition and seek medical attention promptly whenever unusual changes in their children’s vision are noticed.
He noted that many children may not complain about poor eyesight, making parental observation particularly important.
According to him, warning signs may include moving unusually close to television screens, difficulty following light or objects, poor eye contact, a whitish appearance in the eye, or difficulty recognising objects.
“When your child constantly moves very close to the television, it could mean the child is not seeing properly,” he said.
Unlike adults, he explained, children often adapt quietly to poor vision, making early detection more difficult.
Risk of permanent damage
Mr Osayamen warned that untreated cataracts can permanently affect the connection between the eyes and the brain during a child’s development.
“One of the worst complications is amblyopia, also called lazy eye. The eye gradually becomes used to not seeing clearly and, later, nothing can reverse it,” he said.
He explained that some children may also develop strabismus, commonly known as squint, in which the eyes become misaligned because the brain begins to ignore the weaker eye.
READ ALSO: FCTA targets 1.5 million children for MNCH Week vaccination drive
He added that untreated cataracts may also lead to uncontrolled eye movements known as nystagmus, commonly referred to as “dancing eyes”.
On the use of glasses at an early age, Mr Osayamen said many children wear them because of refractive errors such as short-sightedness or long-sightedness, which may be hereditary.
He stressed that wearing glasses from an early age should not be viewed as abnormal or harmful.
“Glasses help the child to see clearly and support proper eye development. They do not automatically remove the condition causing the poor vision,” he said.
The Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF) has disbursed N339 billion to states since its establishment in 2014, with N235 billion released in the last three years, the Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has said.
Mr Pate said the increased funding reflects intensified investments in primary healthcare and has accelerated access to essential health services across the country.
He spoke on Friday in Abuja after chairing the 15th Expanded Ministerial Oversight Committee (MOC) meeting on the implementation of the BHCPF and other health sector reforms.
“In the last 12 years of BHCPF, N339 billion was disbursed to states, out of which N235 billion was disbursed only in the last three years,’ he said.
“This shows the intensification of the effort to expand Primary Health Care (PHC) under this administration,” he said.
Mr Pate said the committee approved N32.88 billion as the second-quarter 2026 BHCPF disbursement to sustain healthcare services nationwide.
He added that the committee also approved modalities for the inclusion of private-sector representatives on the Ministerial Oversight Committee to strengthen stakeholder participation in health sector governance.
Primary healthcare expansion
According to the minister, more than 8,000 PHCs across the 36 states continue to receive funding through the BHCPF gateways.
He said the funds are channelled through primary healthcare agencies, health insurance authorities, the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC), and emergency medical services.
Mr Pate added that assessments are underway to increase the number of supported facilities from more than 8,000 to 17,600 nationwide.
He also said the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) has upgraded more than 3,000 PHCs at different stages across the country.
Emergency care and disease preparedness
Mr Pate said the investments had resulted in increased utilisation of healthcare services and expansion of emergency medical treatment nationwide.
According to him, 35 states have established emergency medical service structures, while the remaining two still rely on federal institutions for emergency response.
He said more than 130,000 Nigerians have benefited from emergency medical services financed through the BHCPF.
The minister added that the NCDC has continued to support states in strengthening disease surveillance, outbreak detection, and emergency response through the fund.
He disclosed that the federal government has approved disbursements to all 36 states to strengthen preparedness against Ebola Virus Disease following recent developments in parts of Africa.
Improving health indicators
Mr Pate said preliminary results from the 2026 Mini Demographic and Health Survey (Mini-DHS) indicate improvements in several key health indicators since the National Health Sector Renewal Initiative began.
According to him, the survey recorded improvements in antenatal care attendance, skilled birth attendance, contraceptive use, immunisation coverage, child health and HIV services.
“The purpose was to see if we are making progress, and we are glad to see that there is progress. It means we have to double down,” he said.
He added that health insurance enrolment has increased from about 15 million beneficiaries at the start of the current administration to more than 22 million, with over six million Nigerians newly enrolled in the past three years.
Maternal and newborn health
The minister said more than 48,000 women have received free comprehensive emergency obstetric care funded by the federal government through 237 participating health facilities nationwide.
He said many beneficiaries would have struggled to pay for life-saving interventions, including caesarean sections.
READ ALSO: Professors Adamu and Pate: Gentle giants of communication scholarship, By Yushau A Shuaib
Mr Pate also disclosed that the government’s Free Fistula Programme has provided surgical repairs for more than 4,771 women, who have also been rehabilitated and reintegrated into society after treatment.
In addition, he said more than 2,900 newborns have benefited from the federal government’s neonatal health programme.
Mr Pate reaffirmed the federal government’s commitment to strengthening accountability, improving coordination and ensuring the efficient use of health resources to advance Universal Health Coverage.
(NAN)
The Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD) has threatened to embark on a nationwide solidarity strike if the ongoing industrial dispute at the Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex (OAUTHC) is not resolved.
In a statement on Thursday, the health body expressed support for resident doctors who commenced an indefinite strike last week.
The association, said the industrial action by the Association of Resident Doctors, OAUTHC (ARD OAUTHC), which began on 22 June, followed months of unresolved welfare and workplace concerns that management allegedly failed to address.
NARD described the crisis as avoidable, blaming it on what it called the hospital management’s failure to respond to repeated complaints despite earlier interventions by the national body.
Previous intervention ignored
According to the association, it had written to the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare on 16 March, drawing attention to the deteriorating relationship between OAUTHC management and resident doctors.
The association said it requested a stakeholders’ meeting involving the ministry, hospital management, ARD OAUTHC and NARD to address issues including salary arrears, accommodation disputes, restrictions affecting the association’s secretariat and other administrative concerns.
It said despite subsequent follow-up efforts, including another intervention in June, the issues were not treated with the urgency required.
NARD accused the hospital management of adopting a “combative” and “dismissive” approach that deepened mistrust and eventually led to the indefinite strike.
Welfare concerns
The association said the doctors’ grievances centred on several welfare and workplace issues, including the refusal to provide comprehensive meal coverage for doctors on call, the transfer of identity card costs to employees, unresolved accommodation challenges and the non-payment of some allowances.
Other concerns include the imposition of bench fees on resident doctors from accredited private teaching hospitals undertaking clinical rotations at OAUTHC, as well as what NARD described as a pattern of intimidation and victimisation of resident doctors.
The association also alleged that the hospital management’s response during the strike ultimatum did not accurately reflect discussions held with the doctors, leading members of ARD OAUTHC to reject the response and proceed with the industrial action.
Nationwide action
NARD said the dispute was discussed during its May Ordinary General Meeting in Kano, where delegates raised concerns over the welfare of resident doctors and gave its National Officers’ Committee 21 days to engage relevant stakeholders.
The association said it was unacceptable that the matter was allowed to degenerate into an indefinite strike despite the warning.
They warned that the dispute now threatens patient care, emergency services, residency training and the overall stability of the teaching hospital.
NARD called on the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare to urgently convene a high-level meeting involving all parties to resolve the dispute.
It also urged the ministry to direct the hospital management to address outstanding welfare issues, stop any form of intimidation or victimisation of resident doctors, protect members participating in lawful union activities and establish a monitored framework for implementing any agreements reached.
The association warned that if the dispute remains unresolved within a reasonable time, it would be compelled to declare a nationwide solidarity strike in support of the OAUTHC resident doctors.
Ultimatum
The latest dispute comes as NARD is already locked in a broader industrial dispute with the federal government over unresolved welfare, remuneration and training-related issues affecting resident doctors across the country.
READ ALSO: NMA warns of wider health crisis as LASUTH doctors’ strike enters second day
Earlier this month, the association declared a nationwide industrial dispute and issued the federal government a 21-day ultimatum to address demands including the release of the 2026 Medical Residency Training Fund (MRTF), payment of outstanding salary and promotion arrears, correction of allowance discrepancies, improved welfare for house officers and stronger measures to protect doctors from assaults in hospitals.
The ultimatum, which is now approaching its expiration, followed resolutions reached at the association’s Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) in Kano, where delegates also raised concerns over unresolved welfare issues at several hospitals, including OAUTHC.
At the meeting, NARD specifically warned about the alleged intimidation of resident doctors at the Ile-Ife-based teaching hospital and gave its National Officers’ Committee 21 days to engage relevant stakeholders before considering further action.
-
Business4 days agoOndo Police Foil Two Kidnap Attempts in Owo, Rescue Victims and Family Members
-
News3 days agoI’m Jealous Wike is in PDP – APC Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda admits
-
Business2 days agoCement maker Lafarge Africa renamed HBM Nigeria Plc
-
Business3 days ago
Africa records hydropower growth but Nigeria still suffers power shortages — Report
