A global social enterprise, VisionSpring has organized a series of eye screening exercises in some densely populated areas in Ghana. This forms part of VisionSpring’s efforts to increase eyeglasses coverage among low income earners in the country.

This was also to commemorate the 2022 World Sight Day on Thursday, 13th October. The focus for this year’s commemoration was on prioritizing eye health. It served a clarion call on leaders to make eye care services accessible, inclusive and affordable to everyone, everywhere.

Though the World Health Organization (WHO) is highlighting eye health as critical to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs), eye health issues remain prominent the world over.  In Ghana for instance, almost one in every four people randomly sampled will require simple pair of reading glasses to see clearly.  This is particularly so for Ghanaians in low income communities who are unable to afford eye care services.

It is against this background that VisionSpring, together with its implementing partners undertook the eyes screening exercise to  sensitize the people on the importance of eye care, and offer eyeglasses and other medical solutions to the needy.

Dr Collins Asomani, an optometrist and Project Implementation Lead at VisionSpring in a media engagement said the organization concentrated on “densely populated areas dominated by artisans, petty traders, sales workers etc” for this exercise.

Beneficiary communities included Azizanya, Kewunor and Ayigbo, all fishing communities in the Ada East District.  Others are Nii Boye Town, Madina, and Tema Station in the Greater Accra Region. A total of 1,278 people were screened for various conditions including presbyopia, refractive errors, allergic conjunctivitis, and dry eye syndrome. Almost 700 eyeglasses were also sold at highly subsidized prices.

For many of the beneficiaries, it was their first time getting their eyes screened. One such beneficiary, 48-year old Justice Okesi, was simply grateful for the exercise.

“I was the first person to arrive here. My daughter and I were given glasses, but my wife has been referred for further checkup”, he said.

The reading glasses he was prescribed might have come as a surprise to Justice because he never assumed there could be a problem with his eyes notwithstanding that he struggled to read sometimes. “Before today”, he said, “I didn’t think I had any problem with my eye except that, reading at night could be strenuous. But I thought it was normal at my age. I really commend the process and awareness and I thank the organisors for this exercise”.

Just like Justice, 42 year old Agnes Agbedzi, a petty trader was also full of commendation for the exercise. “This is my first time being screened”, she said. “Last week, I realized I could hardly read and so when I spotted the banners in town, I decided to join the screening. I was told I have problems with my left eye. Coming here has been helpful. I was given a reader and was also asked to report later for a further checkup”, she said.

One of the implementing partners, Dr. Matilda Madiwe Adda of Total Vision Eye Care Services described as “admirable”, the high levels of community involvement in the exercise. 

“The people were very appreciative of the services being offered. Everybody including the local assembly, school health coordinator and the other opinion leaders were involved. Participation and acceptance by the community members was admirable”, she said.

Meanwhile, Dr. Adda has called on VisionSpring to replicate “these impactful screening modules in other communities to create awareness and increase access to eye care”

In line with the theme for this year’s World Sight Day, Dr Asomani implored on all Ghanaians to pay particular attention to their eyes, and give it the needed care.

“The theme for this year's World Sight Day celebration is "Love your Eyes". When you love something, you take good care of it. VisionSpring is utging Ghanaians to take good care of their eyes; visit their Optometrist or eye care professional at least once a year”.