The world risks having millions of people with visual impairments if nothing is done to deal with the rate of losing their vision, Sightsavers International Ghana has said.
The NGO working in the country to eliminate avoidable blindness in a statement released on Thursday declared the world to be in an "eye health crisis."
It, therefore, called for authorities to act quickly.
Their call is part of a World Sight Day campaign, dubbed 'Everyone Counts,' spearheaded by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB)
Senior Programme Manager of Sightsavers Ghana Country Office, David Agyemang, said, "the number of people in need of eye care around the world is increasing dramatically.
"Without intervention, the number of people who are blind globally could triple to around 115 million people by 2050. We are in an eye health crisis, but it is not a subject that gets the attention it deserves."
A 2015 Ghana Blindness and Visual Impairment Study conducted by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness indicated that about 0.7% of the country's population were blind.
The study mentioned that the prevalence of blindness was higher in rural areas than in urban areas.
A study found that 54.8% of blindness in Ghana was due to cataracts.
Country Director of Sightsavers Ghana Country office, Dr Sunday Isiyaku, wants an increase in access to quality eye care in the country.
“Access to quality eye care has a hugely positive impact on all areas of people’s lives. It can increase people’s ability to learn and work, which can directly lead to reductions in poverty and hunger and improve well-being,” he is quoted as saying in the press release.
An eye specialist in the country has already expressed worry over Ghana's ophthalmologist-to-patient ratio.
Managing Director for Rods and Cones Optical and Eye Care Services, Dr Akwasi Agyemang Ahmed, earlier this year disclosed that there were just about 100 ophthalmologists to cater for the country's over 30 million population.
Latest Stories
-
‘We have missed him for months’ – Arteta on Thomas Partey
3 mins -
Togo heads to polls amid tensions over law reform
4 mins -
Nigerians excited over Harry and Meghan’s planned visit
8 mins -
‘We are sorry but we need to stay calm’ – Andre Ayew on Black Stars recent form
26 mins -
Election 2024: Bawumia dares Mahama to two-man debate
31 mins -
Bawumia is a man of integrity and discipline unlike Mahama – Miracles Aboagye
36 mins -
Ejisu by-election: NDC is sponsoring Aduomi; don’t vote for him – Bawumia to NPP supporters
40 mins -
Freedom of speech must engender development
43 mins -
Ghana Hajj Board announces flight schedules for 2024 pilgrimage
49 mins -
T-bills: Interest rates increased for first time since January 1; government fails to meet target
2 hours -
Ghana retains 10th position with lowest fuel price in Africa
2 hours -
Mahama cuts sod for new Jakpa palace in Damongo
3 hours -
Will Ghana’s democracy stand the test of time in the 2024 elections?
5 hours -
Hindsight: Dreams fairytale run proved one thing; it is possible
7 hours -
God makes rulers, not you; you can’t choose your successor – Mahama to Akufo-Addo
8 hours