The short answer
Jos has its own eye surgeons, so most people on the plateau are treated at home. If you come down to Kaduna for an operation, especially retina surgery, plan the return carefully: Jos sits on the plateau, well above Kaduna, and a gas bubble left in the eye after retina surgery expands as you climb. Do not drive back up to Jos until the surgeon says it is safe.
See eye doctors in KadunaMedically reviewed by Dr Debo Odulana, Founder and Chief Executive, Mezo. Last reviewed . This page is general information, not a diagnosis. Care is decided with you after an examination.
Why the plateau matters after retina surgery
To repair a detached retina, the surgeon may fill the eye with a gas bubble that holds the retina in place while it heals. The gas expands at lower air pressure, which happens when you fly and also when you travel up to high ground. On the road from Kaduna to Jos you climb onto the plateau. Going up too soon can raise the pressure inside the eye dangerously and cause pain and loss of sight.
Gas bubbles take from days to weeks to disappear, depending on the type of gas. Your surgeon will tell you when you can travel up to Jos. Until then, plan to stay at Kaduna's altitude or lower. Some operations use oil instead of gas, which does not expand; ask which you are having.
The road from Jos
The road from Jos runs down off the plateau through Saminaka, Pambeguwa and Maraban Jos to Kaduna. Parts of it have been in poor repair, so ask about current conditions and allow extra time. Travel in daylight.
Cataract and glaucoma from Jos
Altitude is not a concern after cataract surgery or most glaucoma operations, because no gas is left in the eye. For those, the usual plan applies: an examination, the operation, and a check the next day before the drive home. The cool, dusty harmattan on the plateau is still hard on a healing eye, so wear sunglasses and the shield as advised.
Where to be seen in Kaduna on Mezo
Request an eye appointment in Kaduna through Mezo. The care team arranges it with a consultant ophthalmologist and confirms where and when, or you can see an eye doctor by video first.
Common questions
How long must I stay off the plateau after retina surgery?
It depends on the gas used, and only your surgeon can tell you. Ask before the operation so you can arrange somewhere to stay in Kaduna or another low-lying place for as long as needed.
Will I wear a wristband about the gas bubble?
Many surgeons give one, because some anaesthetic gases can make the bubble expand dangerously. Wear it until the bubble has gone and tell any doctor who treats you that you have gas in your eye.
Why travel from Jos to Kaduna for eye surgery at all?
Most people do not need to, because Jos has its own eye services. Some choose Kaduna for a booked date with a named consultant, or because family in Kaduna can host them during recovery.
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Sources and further reading
The guidelines and patient information this page is checked against. Care in Nigeria follows the same evidence; what differs is the price and where it is done.
- Detached retina (retinal detachment). NHS. Patient information.
- Floaters and flashes in the eyes. NHS. Patient information.
Links last checked 23 October 2026.
Medical disclaimer: This guide is general information and does not replace advice from your own doctor. Where your centre's instructions differ from this guide, follow theirs.