Eyes of Africa: The Genetics of Blindness. Baseline characteristics, ocular features, and associations with glaucoma in continental Africans

Authors

• Adeyinka Ashaye, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
• Olusola Olawoye, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
• Kelsey V. Stuart, Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust
• Tarela Sarimiye, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
• Chimdi Chuka-Okosa, University of Nigeria
• Nkiru Kizor-Akaraiwe, Enugu State University of Science and Technology
• Ugbede Idakwo, ECWA Eye Hospital
• Naa Naamuah Tagoe, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
• Kwesi Nyan Amissah-Arthur, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
• Kuburat O. Adenrele, Ancilla Catholic Hospital Eye Centre
• Chinedu Anthony Okeke, Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital
• Akinyemi O. Adedeji, Federal Medical Centre Nigeria
• Aderonke Baiyeroju, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
• Onoja Akpa, University of Ibadan
• Chimdia Ogbonnaya, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital
• Oluwole Majekodunmi, University College Hospital, Ibadan
• Chinwe Otegbulu, Federal Medical Centre Nigeria
• Nkechi Uche, University of Nigeria
• Bernice Adegbehingbe, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex
• Adeola Onakoya, Lagos University Teaching Hospital
• Oyetunde E. Oyedepo, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
• Oluwatobi J. Hussain, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan
• Bola Adekoya, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital
• Bolajoko Abidemi Adewara, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex
• Joseph Matiya Msosa, The Eyes for Africa Child Legacy Hospital
• Akosua Badu Mensa-Bonsu, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
• Kwaku Oppong Kwarteng, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital
• Yakubu Seidu Adam, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Importance: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, with disproportionately high prevalence and severity in Africans. Objective: To characterise the baseline phenotypic findings and glaucoma-related ocular features of participants with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG, cases) and non-glaucoma controls and to report sociodemographic and medical associations of POAG in the cohort. Design: Multicentre, cross-sectional study. Participants: 9418 adults (5189 POAG cases; 4229 controls) recruited from 16 centres in Nigeria, Ghana and Malawi. Methods: Standardised demographic, medical and ophthalmic data were collected, including visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), optic disc evaluation, visual fields and central corneal thickness. Main outcome measures: Glaucoma severity, visual impairment (VI) and sociodemographic/medical associations of POAG. Results: Compared to controls, cases were older (mean age 63.9 years vs 61.4 years, P < 0.001) and more likely to be male (57.4% vs 45.2%, P < 0.001). Three-quarters of cases (76.8%) were classified as having severe glaucoma in at least one eye at recruitment, with a third (34.4%) suffering severe VI or blindness. The leading causes of VI in controls were cataract (65.0%) and uncorrected refractive error (13.8%). POAG was significantly associated with older age, male sex, higher level of education, unemployment, history of alcohol consumption, African trypanosomiasis, higher maximum IOP and a positive family history of glaucoma. Conclusion: There is a significant glaucoma disease burden in sub-Saharan Africa. Further analyses of the cohort will identify genetic determinants of these clinical findings and reinforce the urgent need for public health interventions in sub-Saharan Africa.

Publication Title

Eye Basingstoke

Recommended Citation

Ashaye, A., Olawoye, O., Stuart, K., Sarimiye, T., Chuka-Okosa, C., Kizor-Akaraiwe, N., Idakwo, U., Tagoe, N., Amissah-Arthur, K., Adenrele, K., Okeke, C., Adedeji, A., Baiyeroju, A., Akpa, O., Ogbonnaya, C., Majekodunmi, O., Otegbulu, C., Uche, N., Adegbehingbe, B., Onakoya, A., Oyedepo, O., Hussain, O., Adekoya, B., Adewara, B., Msosa, J., Mensa-Bonsu, A., Kwarteng, K., & Adam, Y. (2026). Eyes of Africa: The Genetics of Blindness. Baseline characteristics, ocular features, and associations with glaucoma in continental Africans. Eye Basingstoke, 40 (13), 2030-2039. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-026-04607-w