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By: Mary Wellington
GLAUCOMA, also known as the silent thief of sight, is a disease that makes the eye go blind with no warning signs. The signs only show at the last stage of the disease.
This year’s World Glaucoma Week is scheduled for March 10-16 2024 on the theme; Uniting for a Free Glaucoma Week. Dr. Wendoline Aseidu Twum, a Specialist Ophthalmologist, at Emmanuel Eye Clinic, and Dr. Kweku Kwarteng, a Specialist Ophthalmologist, at Korle Teaching Hospital, spoke on Adoa TV AM SHOW.
According to Dr.Kwarteng, Glaucoma is a group of conditions with all having characteristic ways, in which the optic nerve is destroyed. A common risk factor he describes is the increase in the pressure on the eye.
He further disclosed that they are proactive in setting this week to raise awareness, to educate people to get their eye tested regularly because Glaucoma is dangerous.
According to him one may not see well and go about their duties well until a significant decrease in vision. In such cases, if the pressure of the eye is high and the destruction is to the end stage of the disease, nothing can be done to bring back the sight.
Dr. Aseidu-Twum said 78 million people in the world are affected by Glaucoma of which Ghana is the second highest in the rank in Africa. A high number of cases have been recorded in rural areas.
There are activities in the various districts; Ophthalmologists and eye care workers, eye screenings, talks, education in all gatherings such as churches, and most especially radio programs focused on rural areas.
Some places, set aside for the Glaucoma week are the Emmanuel eye clinic, MCM office, Agbogbloshie market, Korle Bu, and the 37 Hospital at Burma Camp.
