By Yunus S Saliu
As The National Eye Health Programme (NEHP) of the Ministry of Health in collaboration with Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre joined the global nations to commemorate World Glaucoma Week in the Gambia, Dr. Winston Ceesay, CEO and Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist at Sheikh ZayedRegional Eye Care Centre (SZRECC) disclosed that glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. Noting that “In 2023, 1,004 cases of glaucoma were diagnosed at SZRECC and most of them are on treatment
Addressing the gathering at the commemoration, Dr. Winston Ceesay stated that in 2020, the number of people estimated to have glaucoma was 76 million and this is expected to increase to 95.5 million in 2030. In 2020, 4.13 million people aged 50 years and older suffered moderate and severe vision impairment, and 3.6 million were blind due to glaucoma and glaucoma caused 11% of all global blindness in adults aged 50 years and older. It is estimated that 7.7 million people have moderate or severe vision impairment or blindness from glaucoma. By the year 2040, it is estimated that there will be 22 million individuals worldwide who are blind from glaucoma.
Addressing the gathering he said the week is a global initiative of the World Glaucoma Association meant to raise awareness of glaucoma. “It is celebrated annually and the goal is to alert everyone to have regular eye checks in order to detect glaucoma as early as possible. This year it is celebrated from 10th to 16th March with the theme: UNITING FOR A GLAUCOMA-FREE WORLD with a series of activities which includes screening at SZRECC and all other eye clinics countrywide and health education on glaucoma on TV and radio.”
He, therefore, encouraged everyone to use this unique opportunity to have their eyes examined because “Glaucoma is one of the main causes of preventable irreversible blindness worldwide. It is a group of eye disorders that have few symptoms in their early stages but eventually lead to damage of the optic nerve (the bundle of nerve fibers that carries information from the eye to the brain), which can then lead to vision loss or complete blindness.”
Currently, he said, there are about 80 million people worldwide with glaucoma, interestingly, about half of the people who have glaucoma do not even know it.
According to him, the prevalence of glaucoma varies among different nations and regions. It appears to be highest among persons of African descent (ranging from 6.5% to 7.3%). Africa is one of the continents with a substantial burden of glaucoma. The prevalence of glaucoma in Africa is twice that of the global prevalence. People of African descent are 5 times more likely to develop glaucoma and 6 times more likely to go blind from glaucoma. Yet 90% of people of African descent do not know they are living with the disease.
He explained further that in Africa, only 1 in 20 is aware that he/she is living with glaucoma. Oftentimes, 50% of the people have lost vision in one eye at presentation to the clinic. Glaucoma in persons of African descent has an earlier onset and runs an aggressive course as compared to their counterparts in other parts of the world. The low level of awareness and the late presentation to eye care providers are major obstacles to preventing disabilities due to glaucoma.
Meanwhile, Mr Sarjo Kanyi, Programme Manager of the NEHP, and Mr. Vincent Mendy Regional Programme Manager were among those who delivered brilliant speeches at the celebration held at the Kanifing General Hospital while Alasana Touray, CEO of the centre took the crowd on a conducted tour of the clinic.