\n
\u00a0Five out of every 10 people in Ghana suffer from refrac\u00adtive errors, a condition where the eye does not bend light correct\u00adly, leading to vision problems.<\/p>\n
This was revealed by Professor Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi, President of the Ghana Optometric Associ\u00adation (GOA), who emphasised the importance of early detection and treatment.<\/p>\n
\u00a0According to data, 44 per cent of Ghanaians have uncorrected refractive errors, which is the lead\u00ading cause of visual impairment and urged them to take eye health seri\u00adously and seek regular check-ups.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis condition is often caused by natural or hereditary factors, such as irregular eye length or cor\u00adneal and lens shapes. Since people cannot control these factors, it\u2019s essential for them to visit hospi\u00adtals to get proper diagnoses and treatments, such as reading glasses, bifocal lenses, or refractive surgery,\u201d he disclosed.<\/p>\n
Prof. Boadi-Kusi made these comments during the 12th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scien\u00adtific Sessions of the GOA, held in Koforidua.<\/p>\n
The event, held on the theme; \u2018Artificial Intelligence in Optomet\u00adric Practice: Embracing the New Era in Clinical Practice,\u2019 brought together optometrists from across the country to discuss the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in advanc\u00ading eye care.<\/p>\n
The event also inducted 84 new optometrists into the association and launched a scientific journal to facilitate the sharing of research and clinical knowledge globally.<\/p>\n
Prof. Boadi-Kusi further outlined the four main types of refractive errors: Myopia (nearsight\u00adedness), Hyperopia (farsightedness), Astigmatism (blurred vision at all distances), and Presbyopia (age-re\u00adlated near vision loss).<\/p>\n
He advised everyone to have an eye check-up every two years, and those over 40 should do so more regularly to avoid conditions such as glaucoma, which could lead to blindness.<\/p>\n
Prof. Boadi-Kusi highlighted the increasing prevalence of refrac\u00adtive errors in Ghana and empha\u00adsised the need for public education on eye health.<\/p>\n
He noted the growing use of screens and digital devices among children, pointing to the rise of myopia due to prolonged screen exposure and encouraged parents to allow their children \u201cmore out\u00addoor playtime\u201d to promote healthy vision.<\/p>\n
Moreover, Prof. Boadi-Kusi also called on policymakers to address refractive errors and improve incentives for optometrists to work in rural areas.<\/p>\n
He observed that most optom\u00adetrists were concentrated in cities, leaving underserved communities without access to eye care.<\/p>\n
\u201cBetter salaries and incentives would encourage more optome\u00adtrists to serve in districts where they are needed most,\u201d he noted.<\/p>\n
On the role of AI in optometry, Prof. Boadi-Kusi acknowledged its growing applications in healthcare, including eye care, and encouraged his colleagues to embrace techno\u00adlogical advancements.<\/p>\n
However, he cautioned them to be mindful of ethical issues such as patient privacy and data security.<\/p>\n
Dr Winfred Ofosu, Eastern Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, also emphasised the importance of AI in enhancing diagnostic capabilities and improv\u00ading patient outcomes.<\/p>\n
He encouraged optometrists to adopt AI while ensuring they op\u00aderate ethically and maintain patient trust.<\/p>\n
\u00a0FROM AMA TEKYIWAA AMPADU AGYEMAN, KOFORIDUA<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
\u00a0Five out of every 10 people in Ghana suffer from refrac\u00adtive errors, a condition where the eye does not bend light correct\u00adly, leading to vision problems. This was revealed by Professor Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi, President of the Ghana Optometric Associ\u00adation (GOA), who emphasised the importance of early detection and treatment. \u00a0According to data, 44 per […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":237468,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-237467","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-top-news"],"yoast_head":"\n
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