Expanding Community Eye Care in Nigeria: Challenges and Opportunities

Abstract

Eye care services in Nigeria remain largely inadequate due to a variety of systemic and infrastructural barriers. The increasing prevalence of preventable and treatable eye conditions, such as cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors, necessitates the expansion of community-based eye care initiatives. This research examines the challenges faced in scaling community eye care programs in Nigeria and explores viable opportunities for enhancing service delivery. A mixed-methods approach involving qualitative and quantitative analyses was used to assess the effectiveness of current interventions. The findings suggest that major barriers include limited funding, inadequate human resources, insufficient awareness, and poor accessibility. However, leveraging technology, strengthening healthcare policies, and fostering public-private partnerships present viable solutions. The research underscores the importance of a comprehensive, community-centered approach to eye care, which can significantly reduce the burden of visual impairment in Nigeria.