KATH Eye Clinic Launches World Glaucoma Week under the theme; “Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World”
The KATH Eye Clinic has launched World Glaucoma Week, a global initiative aimed at raising awareness about glaucoma and promoting eye health. This year’s theme, “Uniting for a Glaucoma-Free World,” emphasizes the importance of collective efforts in combating glaucoma-related blindness.
The launch event, which took place at the hospital’s premises marked the beginning of a week-long series of activities designed to educate the public about glaucoma, its causes, symptoms, and prevention options. The KATH Eye Clinic has organized free public lectures, and community outreach programs to reach a wider audience.
Glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, affects over 700,000 people in Ghana alone, with approximately 60,000 already blind from the condition. The KATH Eye Clinic’s initiative aims to reduce these numbers by promoting early detection and treatment.
Speaking at the event, the deputy medical director at KATH, Dr. Yaw Opare Larbi empathized on the need for early screening and intensive public education on glaucoma.”I encourage each one to take glaucoma screening as important as any other screening to prevent irreversible blindness, and I entreat all stakeholders to intensify the public education on glaucoma” he said.
Dr. Angelina Ampong, a member of the glaucoma team at KATH stated that the launch is purposely to create awareness for the screening of glaucoma for early detection and better management. According to her, in a recent survey conducted, glaucoma causes 19.4% of blindness in Ghana which is irreversible hence the need to treat it with the needed urgency. “Go for early screening, protect your sight, save your sight” she said.
The World Glaucoma Week initiative is supported by the World Glaucoma Association (WGA) and the World Glaucoma Patient Committee (WGPC). The KATH Eye Clinic’s efforts are part of a global movement to combat glaucoma-related blindness and promote eye health.
