This eye disease is posing a significant health burden for countries especially the West African region.
Studies have shown that it is one of the main causes of preventable irreversible blindness worldwide. The prevalence of glaucoma varies among different nations and regions. However, it appears to be highest among persons of African descent (ranging from 6.5% to 7.3%).
Also, Africa is said to be one of the continents with a substantial burden of glaucoma. This is indeed scary.
Reports suggest that the prevalence of glaucoma in Africa is twice that of the global prevalence. And also, people of African descent are 5 times more likely to develop glaucoma and 6 times more likely to go blind from glaucoma.
Yet 90% of people of African descent do not know they are living with the disease. In Africa, only 1 in 20 is aware that he/she is living with glaucoma.
It is in the news that the National Eye Health Programme of the Ministry of Health and the Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre (SZRECC) with support from partners on Thursday marked World Glaucoma Week with a presser held at the conference hall of Shiekh Zayid Regional Eye Health Care Center (SZRECC) in Kanifing.
The theme for this year’s event is -‘Uniting for a Glaucoma Free World’. The campaign seeks to raise awareness about the disease by encouraging people to go for early testing.
Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness, but with early treatment, the damage will be minimised and sight may be saved.
However, it is important to state here that the World Glaucoma Week is a global initiative of the World Glaucoma Association. Celebrated annually, the goal of the initiative is to alert everyone to have regular eye checks in order to detect glaucoma as early as possible.
Glaucoma has no symptoms in its early stage. In fact, half the people with glaucoma do not know they have it! But going for regular eye exams can help one to know his or her status before one loses vision.
However, despites its challenges and nightmares it presented to humanity, there is light at the end of the tunnell. Glaucoma can be screened for, diagnosed and treated, here, in The Gambia.
Meanwhile, to be able to address the issue it is important to go for early screening to be able to determine one’s status.
The Gambia is one few countries credited for its effective eye care services. It has the expertise and equipment, though some are worn out and out of shape, when it comes to diagnosis and treatment of glacuoma.
In view of this fact, we call on the government and partners to invest in this sector to end glaucoma blindness in the country. Let’s remember that the government alone cannot do it, thus the need for more collaboration by all and sundry.
In addition, there is also the need for increased awareness on the disease and those who have a family history of the ailment to go for regular screening.
Remember that the more one goes for early screening, the more they stand a better chance to eliminate it. Together we can make this eye disease a thing of the past in the country.