A free eye screening exercise conducted in the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa (DBI) District of the Upper West Region has uncovered widespread vision and eye health challenges among schoolchildren, highlighting the urgent need for improved access to eye care services in rural communities.
The screening, carried out under the Blissful Sight for Kids (BS4Ks) programme, examined 582 pupils in the Bussie Circuit and revealed that only 45 of them had normal eyesight.
The exercise, implemented by Bliss Eye Care in partnership with Ghana Vision, a Switzerland-based charity organisation, found that 512 pupils were suffering from pathological eye conditions requiring medication. Additionally, 13 children were diagnosed with refractive errors that required corrective eyeglasses, while 12 others were identified with cataract and glaucoma.
The findings have raised concerns among education stakeholders, who believe undetected eye problems could significantly affect pupils’ academic performance and overall development.
Mr. Pascal Boyuo, Head of Supervision at the Daffiama-Bussie-Issa District Education Directorate, described the intervention as a timely initiative that could help address a major challenge confronting many schoolchildren in the district.
According to him, several pupils had complained of itchy and painful eyes, making it difficult for them to concentrate during lessons, while others struggled to see what was written on classroom boards from a distance.
“In some cases, teachers have had to move pupils to the front of the classroom because they cannot see clearly from where they sit,” he explained.
Mr. Boyuo expressed optimism that the diagnosis and treatment provided through the BS4Ks programme would improve the children’s vision and enhance their participation in classroom activities.
Parents whose children benefited from the outreach also welcomed the intervention.
Madam Alice, whose child had battled a recurring eye condition for more than a year, said the ailment often caused severe pain and forced the child to miss classes.
She expressed hope that the treatment received during the exercise would finally bring relief and allow her child to focus on schooling.
The screening exercise also benefited some teachers in the area.
Mr. Mohammed Yakubu, a teacher at Bussie, said he had previously struggled to read lesson notes and messages on his mobile phone due to vision difficulties.
Following the screening, he reported a significant improvement in his sight.
“Now I can read clearly, even on my phone, without any difficulty. I can confidently stand in the classroom and teach without struggling to read,” he said.
Speaking after the outreach programme, Dr. Zakarea Al-Hassan Balure, Superintendent of Bliss Eye Care, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to sustaining the BS4Ks initiative to help protect children from preventable blindness.
He noted that although good eyesight was essential for children’s education, confidence and overall well-being, access to quality eye care services remained limited in many deprived communities.
Dr. Balure explained that the BS4Ks project was designed to bridge that gap by ensuring early diagnosis and treatment for children, particularly those living in rural areas.
Over the past decade, the initiative has reached thousands of children across the Upper West Region and other parts of the country, helping to identify and treat eye conditions before they lead to permanent vision impairment.
The latest findings in the DBI District underscore the importance of regular eye screening programmes in schools and the need for continued investment in child eye health services.
