The Optometry Students Association of Ghana (University of Cape Coast Chapter) has recently embarked on free eye screening exercise and sensitization as part of activities to mark World Sight Day.
The students with the support of the Department of Optometry organised separate eye screening at the Ankaful Prisons and the St. Joseph Child Care Centre at Ahotokrom in the Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem District Assembly. In all, over 600 patients were screened and also received free drugs. Additionally, some of the students also delivered lectures on proper eye care at the Ghana National College and Sammy Otoo Senior High School.
The patron of the association, Dr. Emmanuel Abu who is also a lecturer at the Department of Optometry explained that the World Sight Day was celebrated globally on the second Thursday of October every year to create awareness on eye infections that could lead to blindness. He further indicated that the Association dedicated the 2013 celebration to screen people with special needs such as autism.
For his part, the president of the association, Mr. David Okae-Asante expressed appreciation to the Crystal Lions Club and the World Eye Foundation for supporting the association to purchase drugs for the outreach programme. He finally expressed gratitude to the Head of the Department of Optometry, Prof. Nathalie Yeboah Mensah and the lecturers and administrative staff who contributed in diverse ways to make the exercise successful.
