Cataract has been identified as the leading eye disease in Okurase in Eastern Region.
Some patients identified with the disease are battling its end stage which means that they have completely lost sight prompting health experts to place a call on government to prioritize eye care.
One of the patients Isaac Appiah’s right eye has gone completely blind and is currently relying on the left one for sight. His left eye has suffered end stage cataract after battling the condition for several years. Sadly, his sight can’t be restored even though surgery and have to be living on prescriptions to protect his right eye from suffering any disease that may plunge him total blindness.
Though he says he initially paid attention when he began feeling severe pains in the eye and sought medical treatment, the farmer says he could not afford the services of a specialist and was even unknown to him that he had lost the left eye until he encountered an expert through a free checkup.

Other seniors who are mostly farmers or wood artists residing in the Okurase area are also suffering from cataract and their conditions somehow mimicking that of Mr. Appiah. While some of them have also gone partially blind the situation of others will require surgery and other expensive forms of treatment.
Cataract, according to experts, may be caused by trauma resulting from accidents that is constant hitting of the eye with objects and may be accounting for the cases in Okurase due to the nature of the people’s occupations even though other factors such as lifestyle and exposure to uv radiations may also lead to the disease. Even though cataract can be removed through surgery during early stage it can’t be dealt with when it becomes hyper mature. An optometrist Dr Isaac Asare Poku therefore recommends regular checkup and early treatment.
While his organization, Point Hope Ghana, continues to render free treatment and surgeries for persons suffering complicated eye conditions, Adam Sandow is urging government to make eye care a priority by factoring treatment in the National Health Insurance Scheme while also suggesting enhanced advocacy to urge Ghanaians to regularly have checkups and seek early treatment.
By: Akwasi Addo | Metrotvonline.com | Ghana
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