Cataract, the leading cause of blindness in Ghana – Study

By Amadu Kamil Sanah, GNA

Accra, Oct. 11, GNA – The current prevalence
of blindness in Ghana has been estimated at 0.74 per cent, which translates
into more than 207,200 blind people in the country.

The severe visual impairment prevalence is
1.07 per cent, meaning 299,600 Ghanaians are seriously sick with visual
impairment and will soon be completely blind if necessary measures are not
taken.

In Ghana, the leading cause of blindness is
cataract, with 54.8 per cent representing 111,888 Ghanaians blind as its
result.

These statistics were made known following a
blindness and visual impairment study which was conducted by Ghana Health
Service (GHS) in collaboration with other development partners between 2015 to
2017.

This study which was released at the Ghana Eye
Care Awards, to mark the World Sight Day, also showed that prevalence of
blindness among people within the age of 50 years and above was 5.0 per cent
and increased to 20.12 per cent among 80 years and above.

The World Sight Day is celebrated on every
second Thursday of October and it is the most important advocacy and
communication event on the eye health calendar.

This year’s event was celebrated on the theme:
“Eye Care, Everywhere.”

The study also revealed that four out of five
Ghanaians were found to be blind from causes such as untreated cataract,
glaucoma, diabetic, retinopathy and corneal related causes which could have
been avoided and that Males were more affected than Females.

It was Also found out that the major cause of
low vision was refractive error, which accounts for 46.6 per cent, with only
five per cent of this group using glasses, leaving the remaining 95 per cent,
who must use it for correctional vision not doing so.

Dr James Addy, Head of the Eye Unit at the GHS
confirm the statistics, adding that, it was sad that people who suffer from
diseases do not seek early medical treatment.

He said revealed that the number of Eye Care
Specialist in the country was inadequate and called for more people who are
have the interest to pursue medicine to venture into the specialisation of Eye
Care.

Dr Isaa Boamah, Dr Gladys Fourdjour and Mr
Prince Asenso Antwi, was adjudged the best optometrist, best Ophthalmologist
and best optician respectively.

Mrs Gifty Boafo and Mrs Comfort Kyei Cobbinah
were presented with Special Awards in Eye Care Services delivery

GNA

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