By Yussif Ibrahim
Kumasi, July 6, GNA – The Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences has held its 8th White Coat Ceremony, marking a significant step in the education of future optometrists.
The event held in conjunction with the Ghana Optometric Association’s (GOA) Refractive Error Week, was held on the theme: “Bridging the Gap: Dispelling Refractive Error Myths to Improve Access.”
The White Coat Ceremony, a traditional rite of passage in health-related fields, signifies the transition of students from pre-clinical studies to hands-on clinical training.
This clinical phase of training equips the students with the skills to handle real-world optometric cases and begin interacting with patients in clinical settings, guided by well-defined professional standards and responsibilities.
Professor Mohammed Kabir, Head of the KNUST Department of Optometry and Visual Sciences, reminded participants of the global vision crisis.
He emphasised that approximately 36% of individuals with distance vision impairment lacked access to necessary spectacles, with nearly 800 million people worldwide needing better eye care.
He highlighted the significance of the event not only as a graduate ceremony but also as an integral part of the Ghana Optometric Association’s Fractal Carousel Fusion and the 8th White Coat Ceremony.
Professor Kabir further elaborated on the far-reaching consequences of uncorrected vision, particularly for children, citing negative impacts on well-being and academic performance.
The situation is expected to worsen, with projections indicating that by 2030, approximately 2.1 million people will be affected by presbyopia and a staggering 3.3 billion individuals could suffer from myopia.
The solution, Professor Kabir stressed, often lies in simple spectacles but access remains unequal, particularly in low- and middle-income countries where limited medical coverage creates significant barriers.
He noted that underserved populations in rural and low-income areas are disproportionately affected due to challenges related to affordability, quality of service, a shortage of trained professionals, inadequate government oversight, the concentration of services in urban areas, and a general lack of public awareness.
Acknowledging the significance of the White Coat Ceremony, Professor Kabir emphasised its role in preparing students to handle real-world cases and interact with patients.
Prof. Samuel Bert Boadi-Kusi, President of the Ghana Optometric Association, in a keynote address, underscored the critical need for affordable eyeglasses and called on the government to make them accessible to all citizens, particularly those in vulnerable communities.
He said such a step was crucial for achieving the World Health Organization’s (WHO) target of improving effective refractive error coverage by 40 per cent by 2030.
He also advocated for improved remuneration and working conditions for optometrists, particularly those serving in rural areas, to enhance the reach of eye care services.
Prof. Boadi-Kusi noted that while spectacles offer a simple solution, significant barriers persist.
These include financial constraints, a lack of trained professionals, poor quality of services, and a lack of awareness.
He reiterated the GOA’s commitment to addressing these barriers through initiatives designed to improve access and quality of care.
Dr. Naa Kowah, Chief Optometrist of Trust Hospital Accra, revealed that over 200,000 Ghanaian children struggle with uncorrected refractive errors, making it the leading cause of visual impairment in this demographic.
She stressed the importance of dispelling common misconceptions about eye health and emphasised the need to shift the perception of glasses as merely a luxury to recognising them as essential tools for a better quality of life.
Dr. Mrs. Kowah also raised concern about the myth of herbal preparations improving vision, saying that “there is no scientific evidence to support these claims.
Professor Emmanuel Abu, Chairman of the Education Committee of GOA, told the graduating class that their journey takes them from the classroom to the clinic, transforming them into trusted health professionals responsible for their patients’ vision.
He said it was a journey marked by the values they must embrace, honour in their practice, humility in their interactions, and unwavering adherence to the highest standards of ethics, professionalism, and empathy.
He encouraged the new graduates to embrace innovation and research to improve their effectiveness.
GNA
Edited by Yussif Ibrahim/Christian Akorlie