As part of efforts to raise awareness on avoidable blindness and visual impairment, Lunettes Optics and Inlux Eyewear held free eye screening in Accra to make World Sight Day.

More than 200 residents of East Legon, Adjirigano, Bawaleshi and surrounding communities benefitted from the maiden free eye screening exercise on Thursday, October 12, 2017.

The beneficiaries mostly the aged, children and the less-privileged, who were diagnosed of eye problems and needed correction, were also given medication and glasses free of charge.

This initiative jointly put together as a social responsibility activity of Lunettes Optics Limited and Inlux Eyewear, is aimed at tackling Preventive Blindness in our society.

Optometrist and General Manager of Lunettes Optics, Dr. Nana Kyeretwie said most visual impairments are preventable or treatable with just an eye screening.

But “every year people succumb to unnecessary blindness which could be avoided through proper eye screening, early detection and seeking appropriate care amongst others”.

He said this year’s World Sight Day is to remind Optometrists in Ghana to re-position their role in safeguarding the vision of Ghanaians. 

“Optometrists are also to place emphasis on the theme ‘Make Vision Count’’’.
Dr. Nana Kyeretwie stressed eye health needs to be made a priority to eliminate avoidable blindness and visual impairment.

“Blindness prevention strategies are among the most cost-effective interventions in eye care and we are proud to be part of such intervention to help to reduce the high incidence of preventable blindness in Ghana,” he added.

Dr. Nana Kyeretwie urged the government to promulgate a law to constitute the General Optometric Council as pertained to other countries, to regulate the Optometry profession.

Also, Chief Executive Officer of Inlux Eyewear, Mr. Isaac Amoah attributed the increasing eye defect among Ghanaians to the sub-standard optical frames and sunglasses that have flooded the Ghanaian market.

“The Ghanaian market has been flooded with several sub-standard optical frames and sunglasses. This is causing several eye defects for which most consumers are not even aware of”.

Mr. Amoah said they decided to partner with Lunettes Optics because “they share our vision of providing durable, quality and economical eyewear services and products to the public”. 

Meanwhile, the eye screening is the first of many initiatives geared towards raising awareness about good eyewear practices as well as directing customers to the right sources for authentic frames and eyewear products.