The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH), in collaboration with US-based non-governmental organisation Cure Blindness, has intensified efforts to prevent avoidable blindness through free eye screening and surgeries for people with various eye conditions.
The initiative, being implemented through community outreach programmes, is providing residents with access to eye examinations and treatment without cost.
Dr Curtis Addai, an Optometrist at KATH, said the outreach had already covered several communities across the country, with hundreds of people screened for eye-related conditions.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) during a free eye screening exercise at Toase in the Atwima Nwabiagya South Municipality, he said about 1,200 people had so far been screened in Navrongo, while 503 had been screened in Tumu.
He added that 253 people had benefited from the exercise at Asante Bekwai, 260 in Kumasi-Manhyia, and about 200 residents were being screened at Toase.
Dr Addai identified glaucoma and cataract as major causes of blindness and stressed the importance of early detection and treatment to prevent serious complications.
He encouraged Ghanaians to undergo regular eye examinations, noting that some eye conditions could progress without obvious warning signs until significant damage had occurred.
According to him, glaucoma could develop silently and result in irreversible loss of vision if not detected and managed early. He also described cataract as one of the most avoidable causes of blindness when appropriate treatment was sought.
Dr Addai therefore cautioned the public against waiting until eye problems became severe before seeking medical attention.
He urged residents to take advantage of the free outreach programmes to know their eye health status and seek early intervention where necessary.
The Toase screening exercise was organised by the Eye Unit of KATH under the auspices of the Toase Traditional Council.
The Toase Mawerehene, Nana Kontembrantem Kusi Appiah, said the health and wellbeing of residents remained a major priority for the traditional council.
He described good health as an important asset and said the council would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving the health status of people within the community.
Nana Appiah encouraged residents to participate fully in the screening exercise and take advantage of the opportunity to protect their eyesight.
The collaboration between KATH and Cure Blindness is expected to bring essential eye care services closer to underserved communities while helping to reduce the burden of preventable blindness in Ghana.
