700,000 Ghanaians suffering from Glaucoma – Glaucoma Patient Association
The Glaucoma Patient Association of Ghana has revealed that about 700,000 Ghanaians live with glaucoma with about 60,000 estimated to be blind from the eye disease.
Glaucoma is the second leading cause of blindness globally and yet remains one of the most undertreated eye conditions.
It is commonly known as the ‘silent thief of sight’ as it tends to show no early symptoms. Over time, people with glaucoma slowly loose vision, starting with their peripheral vision.
On the back of the celebration of World Glaucoma Week, the Association in a press statement noted it will make a presentation on the current glaucoma situation in Ghana to give an accurate picture to Ghanaians.
Read details of press statement below:
‘WORLD GLAUCOMA WEEK 2022
THEME: THE WORLD IS BRIGHT, SAVE YOUR SIGHT!
World Glaucoma Week is a week set aside each year in March by the World Glaucoma Patient Association (WGPA) and World Glaucoma Association (WGA), to create awareness and talk about glaucoma.
Glaucoma is the number one cause of irreversible blindness in the world. Ghana has a very high number of people living with glaucoma which is estimated to be about 700,000 people and about 60,000 are also estimated to be blind from the condition. These estimates have been called to question hence the presentation by OSG Glaucoma Group to make a presentation on the CURRENT GLAUCOMA SITUATION IN GHANA to give us all a more accurate picture’’.
Additionally, the association noted that there will be institutional eye screening as well as tv and radio talk shows to create awareness during the world glaucoma week. There will be a press launch on march 9, 2022 at the ministry of health conference hall with the minister of health as the special guest of honour.
‘’Other activities during the week will include institutional eye screening, radio and tv talk shows. There will also be a PRESS LAUNCH on Wednesday 9th March 2022 at the Ministry of health conference hall and the Special Guest of Honour is Hon Kweku Agyeman Manu, Minister of Health’’.
‘’Glaucoma Patient Association of Ghana continues to remind Ghanaians each year to remember that glaucoma is a silent blinding disease and can only be detected through screening. If detected early, the loss of sight can be halted, but if not, the deterioration will continue resulting in glaucoma blindness. Treatment is for life, symptomless in the early stages and runs in families’’.
The association is therefore calling for material and financial support the Glaucoma Patient Association of Ghana for continuous spread of the awareness to prevent loss of sight.
‘’We shall appreciate material and financial support from banks, insurance companies, mobile telephone companies and individuals, to the Glaucoma Patient Association of Ghana so that we can continue to create awareness and prevent the loss of sight through glaucoma!’’.
