Glaucoma blinding Ghanaians - Experts urge public to screen for disease

Health experts and stakeholders have urged Ghanaians to take proactive steps to prevent glaucoma, a leading cause of irreversible blindness.

Speaking at a press launch of the World Glaucoma Week 2025 in Accra, the Director of Eye Care Secretariat at the Ghana Health Service, Dr Afake Honametor, revealed that Ghana had the highest prevalence of glaucoma in Africa, and pointed out that people of African ancestry were five times more likely to develop glaucoma than other races, making the condition a critical public health issue.

“The statistics are alarming; nearly 60,000 Ghanaians are already blind due to glaucoma, and over 360,000 people are unaware that they have the disease,” Dr Honametor revealed.

“Unlike cataracts, which can be treated with surgery, glaucoma-induced blindness is irreversible. Early detection is the only way to preserve vision,” he added.

The acting Technical Director and Director of Technical Coordination at the Ministry of Health, Dr Hafiz Adam Tahir, also highlighted the devastating impact of glaucoma, a condition that affects over 700,000 Ghanaians.

He stressed that glaucoma was the second leading cause of blindness in the country, yet its symptoms remained largely undetected until irreversible damage had occurred.

“Glaucoma is a disease that destroys the optic nerve and leads to permanent blindness if not diagnosed and managed early,” he said.

“It is often hereditary, but can also result from injury. We must intensify our interventions, including awareness campaigns, early detection, and improved access to affordable eye care services,” he added.

Early detection

Dr Honametor stressed that many Ghanaians were unaware that they had glaucoma until they experienced significant vision loss.

He warned that if left undiagnosed, glaucoma could lead to permanent blindness, affecting individuals, families and ultimately the economy.

"We are calling on all Ghanaians, especially those above 40 years, and individuals with a family history of glaucoma, to get screened at least once a year. Glaucoma can be managed if detected early," he said.

President of the Glaucoma Patients Association of Ghana, Harrison K. Abutiate, urged Ghanaians to prioritise eye health by undergoing regular check-ups.

He warned that the risk of developing glaucoma increased with age and among people with a family history of the disease.

"We need every Ghanaian above 40 years to visit an eye specialist at least once a year. Glaucoma can be managed if detected early but we must be proactive in seeking medical advice," he said.

Awareness

Mr Abutiate also underscored the need for continuous awareness creation and advocacy.

Marking the 15th anniversary of the association, he emphasised the role of volunteer efforts in sustaining awareness campaigns.

“We must remove taxes on glaucoma medications, equipment and consumables to make treatment affordable,” Mr Abutiate advocated.

“Our roads should be well-lit to aid those already affected, and routine eye screening must be prioritised at both public and private health facilities,” he added.

The Ghana Health Service and the Glaucoma Patients Association are planning a free eye screenings exercise as part of World Glaucoma Week activities.

The event aligns with the global theme: “United for a Glaucoma-Free World”, aiming to foster a collective response to glaucoma prevention and management.