Ophthalmologist Has Urged Regular Eye Screening to Prevent Blindness
By Joyce Ayine
Chief Executive Officer and optometrist at Blackwood Optometry, Dr. Irene Antwi has urged Ghanaians to prioritise annual comprehensive eye examinations, warning that serious eye conditions can develop silently and lead to permanent vision loss if undetected. Speaking on the ZED Wellness Link on ZED 101.9 FM, she emphasised that early detection is critical for maintaining good vision.
She explained that glaucoma, one of the most dangerous eye diseases, occurs when pressure builds up inside the eyeball, damaging the optic nerves that transmit images to the brain. “Glaucoma comes as a result of pressure in the eyeball causing damage to the nerves at the back of the eye,” Dr. Antwi said. She described the condition as progressing silently, often without pain or obvious symptoms, which makes it particularly dangerous. “Most people do have glaucoma and they don’t know. It doesn’t do anything to you. You don’t feel anything at all,” she added.
Dr. Antwi said many people wrongly assume that as long as they can see clearly, their eyes are healthy. Even individuals with excellent vision may have underlying conditions that could eventually lead to irreversible blindness if untreated. She also explained the difference between glaucoma and cataracts, another common eye condition. “Cataract is like your windscreen is cloudy, but glaucoma is like the wires connecting your headlights have been cut,” she said, highlighting that while cataracts can be corrected surgically, damage from glaucoma cannot be reversed.
She emphasised that glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, particularly among Africans, and noted that it can also run in families. Dr. Antwi said, “For now, there’s no known cause for glaucoma. It’s the silent thief of sight.” She explained that because the disease has no specific cause, regular screenings are the only way to detect it early. Comprehensive eye examinations, including pressure checks, scans, and visual field tests, are essential to identifying glaucoma before significant damage occurs.
Dr. Antwi advised that individuals, especially those over the age of 40 or with a family history of eye disease, should undergo eye examinations at least once a year. She stressed that while treatments such as eye drops and surgery can help manage the condition, they cannot restore vision that has already been lost. Her advice aimed to raise awareness and encourage proactive measures to prevent irreversible blindness, particularly in high-risk populations.
She concluded concluded that early detection, proper management, and yearly eye screenings remain the most effective way
