Dr. Hornametor Afake, Head of the National Eye Care Unit at Ghana Health Service, urged parents to promptly take children with eye complaints to the hospital to prevent glaucoma-related blindness.
He said parents’ failure to take such complaints seriously had led to some children arriving at facilities with advanced glaucoma.
Dr. Afake gave the advise during the launch of the 2025 World Glaucoma Week, organised by the Glaucoma Patient Association of Ghana (GpAG) in partnership with the Ministry of Health in Accra on Wednesday.
This year’s theme, “United for Glaucoma-Free World,” aimed to unite communities in the fight against glaucoma blindness.
World Glaucoma Week is a global initiative set aside each March by the World Glaucoma Association and World Glaucoma Patient Association to raise awareness and encourage regular eye checks for early detection and prevention of visual loss.
Glaucoma destroys the nerve connecting the eyeball to the brain. While there are no known symptoms or cure, early detection and management are crucial. It could be hereditary and cause irreversible vision loss if not treated early.
Statistics indicate that Ghana has the highest prevalence rate of glaucoma in Africa. About 700,000 Ghanaians are living with glaucoma, with 60,000 being blind from the condition, and over 360,000 are unaware they have it.
“As more research continues to be done, there is the likelihood that these figures will surge and even be greater because, by 2040, over 111 million people will be affected by glaucoma worldwide,” Dr. Afake warned.
He described glaucoma as the “silent thief of sight” and stressed the need for people aged 21 and above to undergo regular checks for early detection.
Dr. Afake said that to reduce cases, the Ghana Health Service had extended its wellness clinic concept to include glaucoma awareness, directing all regional directors to conduct screenings in all facilities.
He called for more eye care professionals to be trained and posted to underserved communities to provide necessary services and urged for more research into the genetics of glaucoma to improve treatment in Ghana.
Mr. Harrison K. Abutiate, President of GpAG, called for the removal of taxes on glaucoma medications, equipment, and consumables to help patients in advanced stages of the disease.
He advised patients to use their medications as prescribed for the required outcomes.
Dr. Hafiz Adam Taher, Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health, reminded Ghanaians of the devastating impact of glaucoma and urged them to take proactive steps to protect their vision.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to eye health, noting measures such as increasing public education on glaucoma, expanding eye health services at the primary level, and including glaucoma surgery in the National Health Insurance Scheme.
Dr. Taher said the government was working with professional bodies, civil society, and the private sector to make glaucoma treatment more available and affordable.
He encouraged the public, especially those over 40, those with a family history of glaucoma, and individuals with hypertension and diabetes, to take proactive steps for early detection and management.
The Glaucoma Week will feature free eye screenings for the public on March 15 at the ICGC Restoration Temple, Osu.