Editorial comments: Nigerian Journal of Ophthalmology, September-December 2025

We welcome our readers to the final issue in the 33rd volume of the Nigerian Journal of Ophthalmology. It features two review articles and seven original research articles from different subspecialties of ophthalmology. In their review article, Ireka et al. explore the rapid evolution and growing impact of artificial intelligence (AI)—particularly machine learning and deep learning—in ophthalmology, highlighting its applications in diagnosing and managing major eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, glaucoma, corneal disorders, and retinopathy of prematurity. They also discuss the challenges associated with AI in ophthalmic practice, and their conclusion aligns with recent publications suggesting that, with appropriate regulation, enhanced data infrastructure, and improved clinician training, AI has the potential to significantly advance accessibility, efficiency, and personalized care in ophthalmology.[1,2] In a systematic review, Alfin et al. examined hospital-based studies of cataract surgery outcomes among adult Nigerians between 2007 and 2023, encompassing 1796 operated eyes across five geopolitical zones. Although visual outcomes were better than those reported in the 2007 National Blindness Survey, they still fell short of World Health Organization standards, with wide regional variation and a substantial proportion of borderline to poor visual outcomes. The most common causes of suboptimal outcomes were uncorrected refractive error, ocular comorbidities, surgical complications, and inadequate or inconsistent use of biometry. Overall, their findings underscore the need for standardized outcome reporting, improved access to biometry,[3] and strengthened surgical and refractive services to enhance cataract surgery outcomes in Nigeria. With regards to research on glaucoma, Sarimiye et al., in a retrospective study, demonstrate that trabeculectomy with mitomycin C provides effective long-term intraocular pressure control and preserves visual function in African patients with juvenile open-angle glaucoma, supporting its use as a safe and reliable first-line surgical option. In another study on glaucoma, Orji et al. assessed the quality of life of patients with primary open-angle glaucoma using a self-reported questionnaire and an objective performance-based test. Their study shows that subjective reports alone may under- or overestimate functional impairment, and combining performance-based tests with self-reported questionnaires provides a more comprehensive understanding of disability in glaucoma. In a community-based study, Batah et al. examined the impact of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and visual acuity among adults in Bauchi, Nigeria, and evaluated the effect of Trabut surgery. The study demonstrates that TT imposes a substantial burden even in the absence of blindness, underscores the value of including HRQoL measures in trachoma assessments, and calls for increased public awareness, improved access to quality surgery, and strengthened policy efforts to reduce trichiasis prevalence in Bauchi State. Finally, in a retrospective study on children, Tosun et al. found that inferior oblique recession does not cause changes in retinal thickness but produces a transient increase in choroidal thickness, which resolves within a month. Their findings suggest that the choroid may be more sensitive to surgical trauma and warrant further research. These and other articles are presented in this issue for the reading pleasure of our valued subscribers and readers. Once again, we are grateful to the contributing authors, the reviewers, and our dedicated editorial staff.