By Yunus S Saliu
Glaucoma is identified as a leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide and associated with a reduced quality of life, this was disclosed by the Chief Executive Officer and Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre (SZRECC) of the Ministry of Health during an organized press briefing held as part of the celebration marking the World Glaucoma Week. World Glaucoma Week started on the 9th and will end on 15th March 2025.
The press briefing held yesterday at the Sheikh Zayed Regional Eye Care Centre, Kanifing under the theme – Uniting for a Glaucoma Free World was organized by SZRECC, and sponsored by Comium GSM company and One Sight.
In his address, the CEO also a Senior Consultant Ophthalmologist Dr. Winston Ceesay, pointed out some risk factors of the causes which included age, gender, myopia, genetics, family history, smoking, race, systemic hypotension and hypertension, use of systemic or topical steroids, migraine, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and “most significantly, increased IOP.”
In 2020, he said the number of people estimated to have glaucoma was 76 million and this is expected to increase to 95.5 million in 2030. Still in 2020, “3.6 million were blind due to glaucoma and glaucoma caused 11% of all global blindness in adults aged 50 years and older. He added that by the year 2040 “it is estimated that there will be 22 million individuals worldwide who are blind from glaucoma. Currently, there are about 80 million people worldwide with glaucoma interestingly, about half of the people who have glaucoma do not even know it.”
Prevalence of glaucoma, he noted, varies among different nations and regions, thus, it is going to be highest among persons of African descent – ranging from 6.5% to 7.3%. “The prevalence of glaucoma in Africa is twice that of the global prevalence. People of African descent are five times more likely to develop glaucoma and six times more likely to go blind from glaucoma.”
Amazingly, he added that yet 90% of people of African descent do not know that they are living with the disease because “In Africa, only 1 in 20 is aware that he/she is living with glaucoma. Oftentimes, 50% of the people would have lost vision in one eye at presentation to the clinic.”
However, he described World Glaucoma Week as a great opportunity to
raise public awareness and encourage regular eye testing with subsequent early detection and treatment of glaucoma “As we unite for a glaucoma-free world and by extension a glaucoma-free Gambia.”
Bakary Dibba, Deputy National Eye Health Program for SZRECC gave the evolution of the Gambia National Eye Care Programme (NECP) which has recently changed to the National Eye Health Programme (NEHP) under the Ministry of Health, was established in 1986 following a prevalence survey on blindness and eye diseases.
He explained that the leading causes of blindness then were cataracts 47%, trachoma 17% and other corneal opacities mainly associated with childhood measles or harmful traditional eye medicine 11%.
He further discusses the strategic approach of the NEHP, while outlining the eight secondary eye units in the seven health regions namely; EFSTH Banjul, Essau District Hospital – NBR West, Farafennin General Hospital – NBR East, Basse District Hospital – URR, Bansang Hospital – CRR, Soma District Hospital – LRR, Bwiam General Hospital – WCR 1, Brikama District Hospital – WCR, “and recently, we opened two new units – Bundung Maternal and Child Health Hospital and Brufut Health Center.”
Mr Dibba thanked the Ministry of Health, Board, and Management of SZRECC for their support and guidance throughout.”
Representatives from the sponsors – Comium and One Sight also made short speeches at the press briefing marking the celebration of World Glaucoma Week, while Professor Olufunmilola A Ogun – consultant ophthalmologist chaired the briefing.