{
  "id": 1738815,
  "title": "Cataract leading cause of blindness in Jigawa – Survey",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/cataract-leading-cause-of-blindness-in-jigawa-survey",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T15:08:53.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Daily Post Nigeria",
    "slug": "daily-post-nigeria",
    "url": "https://dailypost.ng/2026/08/18/cataract-leading-cause-of-blindness-in-jigawa-survey/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "A recent survey conducted in Jigawa State has revealed that cataract is the leading cause of blindness in the region, accounting for 40.8% of blindness cases. Eye consultant Dr Tafida Abubakar presented the findings during a Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB7) dissemination meeting in Jigawa State. Glaucoma, on the other hand, was responsible for 23.6% of blindness cases, while trachomatous and other corneal opacities contributed to 21.1% of blindness. Cataract-related surgical complications accounted for 8.3% of cases. The overall prevalence of bilateral blindness in the state was found to be 2.9%, affecting an estimated 19,638 people, while unilateral blindness stood at 3.9%, impacting 27,026 individuals. The survey also identified a significant backlog of 36,623 people in need of cataract surgery. However, cataract surgical coverage in Jigawa was reported at 34.9%, which is far below the World Health Organisation's recommended target of 80%. Despite this, 90.8% of cataract surgeries involving intraocular lenses resulted in visual acuity of at least 6/18, indicating good vision among most patients. The survey recommended increased cataract surgical services, improvement in glaucoma case-finding and management, and greater attention to corneal diseases and refractive error services. The State Commissioner for Health, Dr Kainuwa, reiterated the state government's efforts to improve eye healthcare services and free primary eye-care services to reduce the prevalence of avoidable blindness in the state.",
  "summary": "Cataract has been identified as the leading cause of blindness in Jigawa State, accounting for 40.8 per cent of blindness cases, according to a state-wide eye health survey. The survey findings were presented by an eye consultant, Dr Tafida Abubakar, during a Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB7) dissemination meeting in Jigawa State on Tuesday. According […] Cataract leading cause of…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}