Doctors at the Eye Care Unit of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) have launched a week-long awareness campaign on glaucoma, a devastating eye disease that remains one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide.
Given its high prevalence in Ghana, medical experts are strongly urging the public to visit accredited eye centers for regular screenings to ensure early detection and management.
This initiative is part of KATH’s observance of World Glaucoma Week 2024, celebrated under the theme: “Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World.”
Rising Cases of Glaucoma: A Cause for Concern
During the launch on Monday, March 9, 2024, Dr. Maame Gyasiwaa Boah Antwi, an ophthalmologist at the KATH Eye Unit, described the prevalence of glaucoma in Ghana and across the world as alarming.
Citing 2015 statistics, she revealed that glaucoma accounts for 19.4% of blindness in Ghana. Globally, the disease had already affected 70 million people, a figure projected to rise to 95.4 million by 2030.
“By the year 2040, about 111.8 million people are estimated to have glaucoma,” she stated.
Dr. Gyasiwaa further disclosed that 7.7 million people worldwide are already experiencing some form of blindness caused by the disease.
The Silent Threat: Why Screening is Critical
She emphasized that glaucoma is often symptomless, making regular eye checkups essential for early detection.
“It is usually symptomless, but it happens, and so there is the need to get your eyes checked. When you have it, you wouldn’t know because it doesn’t give any warning signs. However, an eye care professional can detect whether you have it or not. The blindness caused by glaucoma is preventable, but the damage it causes is irreversible,” she cautioned.
High Prevalence in West Africa
Dr. Angelina Ampong, another member of the Glaucoma team at KATH, noted that West Africa has one of the highest prevalence rates of glaucoma. She encouraged the public to take advantage of approved eye care centers for regular screenings to enable early diagnosis and effective management.
Understanding Glaucoma: The Silent Thief of Sight
Glaucoma is a serious eye condition that damages the optic nerve, which is responsible for transmitting visual information from the eye to the brain. Damage to this nerve can result in vision loss or total blindness.
Although high eye pressure is a common risk factor, glaucoma can also occur even when eye pressure is within the normal range. It can affect individuals at any age but is most common in adults over 60.
Since most forms of glaucoma develop gradually without noticeable symptoms, many people do not realize they have the disease until their vision is significantly affected.
Doctors stress the importance of regular eye exams, including eye pressure measurements, to detect the condition early. While vision loss from glaucoma cannot be reversed, early diagnosis and proper treatment can slow or prevent further deterioration.
For those diagnosed with glaucoma, lifelong treatment and monitoring are essential to preserve their remaining vision.
As World Glaucoma Week continues, KATH eye specialists remain committed to spreading awareness and encouraging the public to take proactive steps in protecting their vision.
