ICGC screen drivers

The Calvary Temple of the International Central Gospel Church (ICGC) has held a free eye-screening session for drivers at the Sakumono bus station in Tema.

The session, which was part of the church’s 35 to 44 years age group one-week celebration and road safety campaign, tested over 50 drivers.

Mr Nigel Akrong, President of ICGC Calvary Temple's 35 to 44 years age group said, they were happy to screen most of the drivers as they needed good eyesight to do their job.

He said drivers who had been administered drugs would be referred to health facilities for follow up purposes.

“For those that will need attention beyond what we have here, would be referred a medical facility to be treated immediately,” he said.

Mr Charles Amissah, a bus driver at the Sakumono station said it was his first time having an eye test, and he decided to do the test because he experienced eye pain.

He said he was diagnosed with myopia and the doctor prescribed for him some drugs and a reading aid.

Frederick Otoo, a tipper truck driver, said because his job environment was within sand and stones areas, he sometimes experienced watery eyes.

Mr Gabriel Baddoo, a corporate worker who took the opportunity to test his eyes, said he underwent the screening to know the status of his eyesight.

Dr Desmond Akuffo, who screened the drivers, in an interview with the GNA, said because most of the drivers that got screened were tipper truck drivers, the exposure to sand caused a growth called pterygium in the white part of their eye.

He said it was mostly caused by dust and direct sunlight, leading to watery eyes.

Dr Akuffo, however, said most of the screened drivers had good vision that qualified them to drive.