Submit your papersSubmit Now
For Enquiries: [email protected]
IIARD LogoIIARD

Navigating Life with Visual Impairment in Nigeria: A Narrative Review of Challenges and Opportunities

Timothy Olatunji OLADOSU

Abstract

Introduction: Visual impairment remains a major public health and social challenge globally, with a disproportionate burden in low- and middle-income countries such as Nigeria. Beyond clinical consequences, visual impairment significantly affects education, employment, mobility, psychosocial wellbeing, and social participation. Although Nigerian and African studies have explored aspects of visual impairment, existing evidence remains fragmented across disciplines, limiting comprehensive understanding and policy translation. This narrative review synthesizes existing literature on the multidimensional challenges faced by people living with visual impairment in Nigeria, with the aim of providing a contextualised understanding of their lived experiences and informing inclusive policy and practice. Methodology: A narrative review design was employed to integrate heterogeneous evidence across health, social, educational, economic, and policy domains. Literature searches were conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, Web of Science, African Journals Online, and Google Scholar. Eligible studies included quantitative, qualitative, and policy-oriented publications reporting Nigerian-specific findings. A thematic narrative synthesis was undertaken. Results: The review identified interconnected challenges, including limited access to eye care and rehabilitation services, educational exclusion, unemployment and economic marginalisation, pervasive stigma and discrimination, mobility and infrastructural barriers, and gaps between disability policy commitments and implementation. These challenges were largely driven by structural, environmental, and attitudinal factors. Conclusion: Visual impairment in Nigeria constitutes a complex social and developmental issue. Consistent with the social model of disability, disadvantage arises primarily from systemic barriers rather than impairment alone. Addressing these challenges requires coordinated, multisectoral strategies that integrate eye h

Keywords

Visual impairment; disability; social inclusion; Nigeria; narrative review

References

Adesina, O., Oyedokun, T. T., Ambali, Z., & Otonekwu, F. O. (2022). Information Behaviour Of Visually Impaired Users In The Era Of COVID-19 Pandemic In Lagos State, Nigeria. Journal Of Balkan Libraries Union, 9(1), 14. Https://Doi.Org/10.16918/Jblu.1080828 Ajuwon, P. M. (2012). Making Inclusive Education Work In Nigeria: Evaluation Of Special Educators' Attitudes. Disability Studies Quarterly 32(2) Https://Doi.Org/10.18061/Dsq.V32i2.3198 Akano, O. F. (2017). Vision Health Disparities In Blindness And Visual Impairment In Nigeria: A Review Of The Nigerian National Blindness And Visual Impairment Survey African Vision And Eye Health, 76(1), A345. Https://Doi.Org/10.4102/Aveh.V76i1.345 Alias, N., & Buari, N. H. (2024). Challenges And Barriers To Utilizing Eye Care Services Among Urban Population Globally: A Scoping Review. Journal Of Health Science And Medical Research, 42(6), E20241098. Https://Doi.Org/10.31584/Jhsmr.20241098 Baumeister, R. F., & Leary, M. R. (1997). Writing Narrative Literature Reviews. Review Of General Psychology, 1(3), 311–320. Binlang, J. B., & Donguiz, R. G. (2024). Beyond Sight: A Systematic Review Of The Challenges And Coping Mechanisms In Inclusive Education For Visually Impaired Students. Cognizance Journal Of Multidisciplinary Studies, 4(7), 59-74. Https://Doi.Org/10.47760/Cognizance.2024.V04i07.007 Bourne, R. R. A., Flaxman, S. R., Braithwaite, T., Cicinelli, M. V., Das, A., Jonas, J. B., Keeffe, J., Kempen, J. H., Leasher, J., Limburg, H., Naidoo, K., Pesudovs, K., Resnikoff, S., Silvester, A., Stevens, G. A., Tahhan, N., Wong, T. Y., Taylor, H. R. (2017). Magnitude, Temporal Trends, And Projections Of The Global Prevalence Of Blindness And Distance And Near Vision Impairment: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis. The Lancet Global Health, 5(9), E888–E897. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/S2214- 109X(17)30293-0 Ebeigbe, J. A., & Ovenseri-Ogbomo, G. O. (2014). Barriers To Utilisation Of Eye Care Services In Rural Communities In Edo State, Nigeria. Borno Medical Journal, 11(2), 98-104 Fentie, D., Solomon, Y., & Menberu, T. (2023). The Burden Of Visual Impairment Among Ethiopian Adult Population: Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis. Plos ONE, 18(7). E0288707. Https://Doi.Org/10.1371/Journal.Pone.0288707 Green, B. N., Johnson, C. D., & Adams, A. (2006). Writing Narrative Literature Reviews. Journal Of Chiropractic Medicine, 5(3), 101–117. Kyari, F., Gudlavalleti, M. V., Sivsubramaniam, S., Gilbert, C. E., Abdull, M. M., Entekume, G., Foster, A., & Nigeria National Blindness And Visual Impairment Study Group (2009). Prevalence Of Blindness And Visual Impairment In Nigeria: The National Blindness And Visual Impairment Study. Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science, 50(5), 2033–2039. Https://Doi.Org/10.1167/Iovs.08-3133 Langelaan, M., De Boer, M. R., Van Nispen, R. M., Wouters, B., Moll, A. C., & Van Rens, G. H. (2007). Impact Of Visual Impairment On Quality Of Life: A Comparison With Quality Of Life In The General Population And With Other Chronic Conditions. Ophthalmic Epidemiology, 14(3), 119–126. Https://Doi.Org/10.1080/09286580601139212 Mitra, S., Posarac, A., & Vick, B. (2013). Disability And Poverty In Developing Countries. World Development, 41, 1–18. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/J.Worlddev.2012.05.024 Naidoo, K., Kempen, J. H., Gichuhi, S., Braithwaite, T., Casson, R. J., Cicinelli, M. V., Das, A., Flaxman, S. R., Jonas, J. B., Keeffe, J. E., Leasher, J., Limburg, H., Pesudovs, K., Resnikoff, S., Silvester, A. J., Tahhan, N., Taylor, H. R., Wong, T. Y., Bourne, R. R. A., & Vision Loss Expert Group Of The Global Burden Of Disease Study (2020). Prevalence And Causes Of Vision Loss In Sub-Saharan Africa In 2015: Magnitude, Temporal Trends And Projections. The British Journal Of Ophthalmology, 104(12), 1658–1668. Https://Doi.Org/10.1136/Bjophthalmol-2019-315217 Okonji, E. P., Okonji, P. I., Connors, E., & Leja, J. (2023). Exploring The Lived Experiences Of (Un)Employment Among Visually Impaired Persons In Nigeria: Implications For Policy And Practice. British Journal Of Visual Impairment, 42(2), 505-517. Https://Doi.Org/10.1177/02646196221148331 Rabiu M. M. (2001). Cataract Blindness And Barriers To Uptake Of Cataract Surgery In A Rural Community Of Northern Nigeria. The British Journal Of Ophthalmology, 85(7), 776–780. Https://Doi.Org/10.1136/Bjo.85.7.776 Shakespeare, T. (2014). Disability Rights And Wrongs Revisited. Routledge. Steinmetz, J. D., Bourne, R. R. A., Briant, P. S., Flaxman, S. R., Taylor, H. R. B., Jonas, J. B., Abdoli, A. A., Abrha, W. A., Abualhasan, A., Abu-Gharbieh, E. G., Adal, T. G., Afshin, A., Ahmadieh, H., Alemayehu, W., Alemzadeh, S. A. S., Alfaar, A. S., Alipour, V., Androudi, S., Arabloo, J., ... Vos, T. (2021). Causes Of Blindness And Vision Impairment In 2020 And Trends Over 30 Years, And Prevalence Of Avoidable Blindness In Relation To VISION 2020: The Right To Sight: An Analysis For The Global Burden Of Disease Study. The Lancet Global Health, 9(2), E144–E160. Https://Doi.Org/10.1016/S2214-109X(20)30489-7 Tshuma, C., Ntombela, N., & Wijk, H. C. V. (2022). Challenges And Coping Strategies Of The Visually Impaired Adults: A Brief Exploratory Systematic Literature Review. Prizren Social Science Journal, 6(2), 71. Https://Doi.Org/10.32936/Pssj.V6i2.301 UNESCO. (2020). Global Education Monitoring Report: Inclusion And Education. UNESCO. United Nations. (2016). New Urban Agenda. United Nations. United Nations. (2019). Disability And Development Report. United Nations. WHO. (2019). World Report On Vision. World Health Organization.

More Articles from INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HEALTH AND PHARMACEUTICAL RESEARCH

Influence of Health Information Data Quality on Decision-Making Among Healthcare Professionals in Tertiary Hospitals in Bayelsa State

Author: Lucky Ebiteinye Dogiye, Kalada Godson McFubara, Idawarifa Frank Cookey-Gam, Lucky Ebiteinye Dogiye

Spatial Proximity, Household Vulnerability and Health Effects of Informal Solid-Waste Disposal in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area, Rivers State

Author: Gospel Chimenma Dimkpa, Priscilia Nyekpunwo Ogbonda, Cookeygam Idawarifa, Frank, Sogbeye Tonye Geroge, Dominic Joshua Osondu, Bapakaye Ibifuro Kemmer, Corresponding Author

“Prevalence of Food and Water Borne Disease in Yelwa Bauchi”

Author: Garba Rukayya Abubakar, Maryam Idris Muhammad, Jamila Sulaiman Dauda dauda, Nusaiba Muhammad, Bature, Fatima Muhammad Gadauji, Najaatu Musa

Scheme and Execution of Health Care Monitoring System

Author: Professor Innime Righteous Thompson Salvation Chinezom

The Setbacks of Effectual Conversation Between Health Information Officers and Patients

Author: Professor Innime Righteous Thompson Salvation Chinezom