An optometrist at the Bethel Methodist Medical Center, Dr. Frederick Mensah, has urged Ghanaians to take eyesight matters seriously.
According to him, as of 2020, about 2.5 billion individuals who suffer from myopia are mostly children.
Myopia, commonly known as short-sightedness, is a prevalent vision condition that has significant implications for overall well-being, especially for young people.
Reduced sight adversely impacts academic performance, sports participation, and general social occasions, which can result in a lower quality of life.
Myopia Awareness Week 2024 is observed on May 13–19 annually to highlight the significant problem of myopia, the danger of which is often underestimated.
Dr. Mensah mentioned that the condition can be genetically inherited or can be acquired by the lifestyle portrayed by an individual’s lifestyle.
Some of the symptoms he mentioned are trouble seeing things that are far away, needing to squint to see clearly, and eye strain.
Dr. Frederick Mensah emphasized the urgent need to visit health facilities for proper diagnosis and treatment to prevent such conditions from further deteriorating.
Speaking in an interview on Spice FM, he also encouraged outdoor play, and incorporating outdoor time into the school day can help mitigate the risk of myopia.
“Exposure to natural light has been shown to have a protective effect against myopia development. With the integration of digital devices like tablets and laptops in classrooms, students are spending more and more time learning in front of screens,”
He further touched on habits that promote good vision for life, such as taking breaks from screens, spending enough time outdoors, and ensuring adequate lighting during study sessions, which can significantly reduce the strain on the eyes.
