World glaucoma day marked

Accra, March 6, GNA - Dr. Patrick Kwaw-Quaidoo, an Ophthalmologist on Thursday called on Ghanaians to go for regular eye check to help in the early detection and treatment of any form of eye disease. He said one eye disease which was affecting people world wide was Glaucoma which usually affected the optic nerves of the individual causing irreversible blindness.

Dr Kwaw-Quaidoo, who is Head of the Eye Department of the Ridge Hospital, said this at an eye screening exercise organised as part of activities marking the maiden World Glaucoma Day celebration. The celebration which is on the theme: "Glaucoma - The World Unite against Preventable Blindness" would provide the world an opportunity to learn about Glaucoma to help prevent avoidable blindness.

The media, under the auspices of the Ghana Journalists Association (GJA), Electoral Commission and the National Commission on Civic Education are being covered under the exercise which is provided by the Glaucoma Association of Ghana (GAG).

Dr. Kwaw-Quaidoo said the lack of blood to the optic nerve, myopic patients, diabetic and hypertensive patients and co-genital factors especially among children could speed up the process of Glaucoma. He said usually it was the peripheral fibre of the eye which was affected thereby reducing pressure in the eyes and affecting the rate of progression or vision.

Dr Kwaw-Quaidoo noted that when a particular eye is affected by the disease, the patient could undergo about 12 surgeries which rather reduce vision adding that the disease had no identified symptoms. Mr Harrison Abutiate, President, GAG said glaucoma is a progressive disease which caused visual loss without warning until it was in its advanced stage.

He said about 50 per cent of affected people in advanced countries and 90 per cent in developing countries did not know they had the disease and were therefore not on treatment. "Community awareness of the disease and the need to have regular checks are essential so that early detection through screening will prevent visual disability and total blindness", he added.