The Ghana Optometric Association (GOA) will mark 2023 World Glaucoma Week with a huge public campaign from Sunday (12 March) to Saturday (18 March) in churches and mosques to educate and sensitise Ghanaians about glaucoma.
The general theme of this year’s World Glaucoma Week is “The world is bright – save your sight”.
Kwame Oben-Nyarko, the GOA public relations officer, told the Ghana News Agency in Tema that the public education seeks to help to reduce the incidence of glaucoma blindness in Ghana.
He called on leaders of churches and mosques to contact the association for details of the free public education package. The education session will include a short presentation and distribution of brochures on the condition.
Oben-Nyarko also said the GOA will offer free glaucoma screening through its partner clinics to worshippers who wish to have a test. He added that GOA members will be available from 12 to 19 March to offer free public education on the condition.
He said World Glaucoma Week is set aside globally annually to educate and sensitise the world about the problem.
Neeru Gupta, president of the World Glaucoma Association (WGA), in a statement to mark the week obtained by the GNA, described it as a unique initiative that puts a spotlight on glaucoma as the leading cause of preventable irreversible blindness worldwide.
She said early diagnosis and treatment of glaucoma can prevent needless vision impairment. However, many people are not aware they have the disease or may not have access to much-needed care.
The WGA president argued that “as the numbers are expected to increase exponentially, it is a growing public health concern that needs more attention and effective eye health systems”.
“The active coming together of the international community with colleagues and key stakeholders through events to stimulate awareness and dialogue is a show of our shared commitment to improving glaucoma care for patients around the world,” Gupta said.
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