More than 700,000 Ghanaians are currently suffering from glaucoma which can result in blindness if not treated.
Dr Oscar Debrah, National Coordinator for the Prevention of Blindness of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), made this known at the inauguration of Watborg Eye Services at Awutu Beraku in the Central Region on Wednesday.
The $900,000 facility was established by Watbord Eye Service, a private Eye Clinic.
He said the situation gave cause for concern since the infected people were not aware of their predicament and the danger ahead.
“Eye disease can be treated and prevented if only people could go to hospitals or clinics to seek early treatment to avoid blindness”, Dr Debrah stressed.
He said people in Africa were at risk of developing glaucoma as a result of poor living conditions.
The National Coordinator said, the treatment of blindness in sub-Saharan Africa, including Ghana, had been constrained by the lack of infrastructural development and the appropriate medical equipment.
Mrs Ama Benyiwa Doe, Central Regional Minister, said available information indicated that over 200,000 people in Ghana were blind, adding that 80 per cent of the causes of blindness was avoidable.
She said Ghana was a developing country and therefore government alone could not shoulder the cost of treatment and prevention of the disease, and called for private sector support to curb blindness.
Dr Boateng Wiafe, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of WATBORG Eye Services, and Managing Director of Operation Eyesight for Africa, said 90 per cent of eye problems manifested in the developing countries including Ghana.
He commended the Omanhene of Awutu Traditional Area, Nai Abukuade Whettey Agyemang III and his elders for releasing land free of charge for the construction of the facility.**
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