The Member of Parliament (MP) for Nkoranza North, Joseph Kwasi Mensah, has organised a free eye screening exercise for constituents of Bono Manso in the Nkoranza North district suffering from diverse eye problems.
The exercise, held recently, provided free medication and eye glasses to those with mild conditions, while those with serious conditions will undergo surgical operations to correct defects.
In an interview with Apiah-Kubi, Hon. Joseph Mensah said he undertook the exercise to address the eye care needs of his constituents who cannot afford clinical bills.
The initiative brought together a number of participants where eye specialists screened the people for various eye defects, including cataracts, glaucoma, and refractive errors.
Both cataracts and glaucoma can be a natural part of the aging process. Many people over 60 may have both. Otherwise, the two are not associated.
A cataract is an eye condition where cloudiness, or opacity in the lens, blocks or changes the entry of light, affecting vision.
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that gradually steals sight without warning and often without symptoms. Vision loss is caused by damage to the optic nerve.
Cataracts and glaucoma are both serious conditions that can cause you to lose vision.
However, loss of vision due to cataracts can be reversed with surgery. Loss of vision from glaucoma is, as yet, irreversible.
Are those with glaucoma at higher risk to develop cataracts?
Those with glaucoma are usually not at higher risk to develop cataracts. There are exceptions, including those who have glaucoma due to secondary causes such as eye inflammation, eye trauma, or steroids. Also at higher risk are those with developmental conditions, such as congenital rubella, which can cause glaucoma, cataracts, or sometimes both. Both eye conditions are also more common with age, which is why many who have one disease may develop the other.
Addressing people’s needs, Hon. Joseph Mensah said as a representative of the people, a pressing concern he had noted was the increasing number of people with eye problems in the constituency.
A total of 88 beneficiaries received medical eye glasses during the exercise.
"Those with severe conditions will undergo surgery to restore their sight, while the remaining beneficiaries will receive one form of medication or another," Hon. Joseph Mensah assured.
"This is a huge relief for my people, and I am happy that I have succeeded with this intervention for my people," he added.
"It is going to be a continuous affair for the 5 zones in the district, so that those who have benefited can come back for review, and those who may be suffering from new eye problems within the year will also get the opportunity to get treated," he concluded.
At the end of the exercise , the residents who benefited from the screening and the eye glasses gave their gratitude to the member of parliament for the good heart shown for them.
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