The Department of Optometry & Visual Science of the KNUST in partnership with the Vision Aid Overseas (VAO) has undertaken a four-day eye screening exercise for rural communities in four (4) districts in the Ashanti Region. The joint exercise was aimed at providing free eye care, education, prescription of drugs and spectacles to patients.

In an interview, the Outreach Coordinator of the Department of Optometry & Visual Science, Dr. Emmanuel Owusu, indicated that the programme was an initiative of a UK charity organisation (VAO), dedicated to eye care in developing countries.  He underscored the importance of awareness creation in communities to undertake routine eye screening, particularly among the aged and those with eye problems.

Dr. Owusu further disclosed that eye conditions including allergic conjunctivitis, glaucoma, presbyopia and cataract were the common cases detected among members of the various communities. He was grateful to the respective local health authorities and district assemblies (DAs) for supporting the team throughout the exercise.

The four-day health outreach programme attracted six (6) Doctors from Ireland, Canada and England, who volunteered to offer their services under the auspices of Vision Aid Oversees (VAO). Meanwhile, the VAO delegation spent a week at KNUST to offer tuition to students and subsequently paid a courtesy call on the Vice-Chancellor.

Of the four screening centres mounted in four district assemblies, over 400 people were screened in Agroyesum, Amansie West District; 203 in Banko, Sekyere Afram Plains; 170 in New Edubiase, Adansi South District Assembly; and 207 in Jamasi, Sekyere East District.

Among other lecturers from the Department who joined the teams were: Dr. Clement Afari, Dr. Ahmed Sadique, Dr. Abdul Kadir Mohammed and Dr. Robert T.M. Pascal. There were also four (4) interns and over fifty (50) final year students who took part in the screening exercise.