Outreach Report # Free Eye Screening for Foase Townfolks

The program started at exactly 8am in the morning and lasted throughout the day as people trooped in and out of the Methodist church, the premises of the exercises. Over 100 participants were recorded with a quarter of them been kids, the other quarter was the aged and half were middle aged individuals. There were more female participants than female, probably due to the fact that the women came with their children to ensure they get screened whiles the men passed by only when they got some free period in their work schedule.

The program was divided into two sections, with the first section involving ocular and general health education. Some topics treated included glaucoma, cataract and macular degeneration. People got the opportunity to ask questions afterwards, one of the questions which stood one was on the myth that piles grow on the eye. They were made to understand that growth on the eye is not in any way related to pile which is more or less systemic condition, pterygium or pincuela could what they were mistaking for piles, this myth is currently taking root in the lots of the rural areas in Ghana and misleading lots of people to getting wrong treatments for their ocular conditions putting their sight at risks, hopefully we can eradicate it with time and continuous education. Aside this, questions were also asked about conjunctivitis, treating ocular conditions with breast milk, the effects of using spectacles for long etc. Each question was answered to the satisfaction of the general populace and we can proudly say lots of myths have been disproved and new knowledge gained in its stead.

We presented with two ODs and 5 student optometrist all of whom are @bettervision members, 3 Ophthalmoscopes, 4 Visual Acuity Charts, 2 Sphygmomanometer, 200 patient files, 100 referral forms, a trial lens set and 100 readers. Commonest conditions observed among patients were allergic and bacteria conjunctivitis which we attributed the dusty leading to the town and the fact that the town itself has very few tarred roads. A peculiar condition which was seen was toxoplasmosis in it active form which was gradually eating to the region of the macular and thus demanded immediate attention, patient was referred to the nearest eye clinic for immediate treatment. All other factors were within normal range and by 3pm, we were done with everything.

There is still more workload to be done and until the canker has been eradicated and prevalence of preventable blindness in brought to an insignificant number we will still keep working. If you love what we do and would like to contribute to helping us reach the masses and help out you can support @bettervision on fundition.io. Our backers and donors keep increasing every day and you can become our top backer or donor today and be featured on our programs and in our posts. A big thank you to all our donors and supporters.

What is @bettervision about?

@bettervision is is a project initiated by @nattybongo and friends to give back to the society the knowledge and skill acquired through the Optometric Studies in Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana.It is an outreach system where we visit the less privileged communities to offer free eye screening services and education to the people within the community

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES
To reduce or prevent vision loss through diseases such as glaucoma, cataract and refractive errors.

To enlighten the majority of the Ghanaian population about the importance of proper visual care.

To conscientize people on the need for regular eye checks

To get more people to have their wards screened within the Critical periods of a Child’s Vision Development; thus from ages 3 to till about 10 years.

To help the blind and people with low vision live a better life within the society through education of the general public to stop stigmatization.

To help in the fight of extreme poverty that puts the health of people at risk

Our greatest gratitude goes to @fundition @adollaraday @surfyogi @girlsfoundation @bleepcoin @ackza @indigoocean @nanzo-scoop @steemstem @demotruk @pennsif @steem-ambassador @kasho and @wafrica for helping to make the aims and objectives of @bettervision a reality.

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