Public advised to pay much more attention to their eyes

The public has received a crucial advisory on eye health as nurses identify Pterygium and Allergy as prevalent eye conditions in certain communities within the Ho Municipality.

Expressing concern over the rising incidence of Pterygium and Allergy eye conditions, nurses at the Ho Teaching Hospital Eye Clinic have urged citizens to prioritize eye care to prevent potential damages.

This revelation came after Phase 1 of the Community and School Eye Care Programmes organized by the Care and Concern Action Group, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO), in partnership with the Ho Teaching Hospital Eye Clinic and supported by the Germany-based NGO Deutsche Katholisches Blindenwerk (DKBW). The program aimed at providing free eye care services to the community.

Phase 1 covered three farming communities, including Kpenoe, Hordzoga, and Klefe, benefiting a total of Five Hundred and Ten (510) individuals, including school children, who received free eye screenings and medications.

In an interview on March 26, 2024, after the exercise in Klefe, the nursing team highlighted a significant prevalence of Pterygium among women in the community. Pterygium, often attributed to environmental factors such as exposure to ultraviolet radiation, prolonged exposure to dry and windy conditions, and dusty environments, poses a risk of permanent blindness in severe cases if left untreated.

Madam Judith Donkor, the team leader from the Ho Teaching Hospital Eye Clinic, disclosed the identification of various eye conditions, including presbyopia, refractive errors, allergic conjunctivitis, cataracts, and glaucoma. She emphasized aging, hereditary factors, and eye size as primary contributors to these issues, with symptoms such as blurred vision, eye pain, redness, tearing, foreign body sensations, and itching.

Mr. Godsway Kartey, the Project Coordinator at Care and Concern Action Group (CCAG), urged beneficiaries to adhere to preventive measures. He called for increased funding for community programs, especially targeting vulnerable groups in rural areas. Additionally, he appealed to donors for continued support to raise awareness about common eye conditions and their potential complications, particularly among women and children.

Beneficiaries received free medication and spectacles after screenings, with those diagnosed with severe conditions referred to the Ho Teaching Hospital for further evaluation and treatment.

The public has been advised to shield their eyes from direct sunlight and to undergo regular check-ups and reviews at hospitals to safeguard their eye health.