By Edward Dankwah
Accra, Oct. 17, GNA – The Accra Labone and Accra Ubuntu Leo Clubs have organised a free eye screening exercise in partnership with the Third Eye Care and Vision Centre and Knutsford University to promote eye health and prevent visual impairment among young people.
The exercise, held to commemorate World Sight Day 2026 on the theme, “Love Your Eyes,” sought to raise awareness about the importance of regular eye examinations, particularly among students who spend considerable time using digital screens.
Mr Augustus Nii Odoi, Service Chairperson of the Accra Labone Leo Club, said the initiative was motivated by Lions International’s commitment to vision as one of its global causes.
“It also reflects the call by Helen Keller for members of the Lions movement to support people who were blind or visually impaired,” he added.
He explained that the screening was intended to help participants identify potential eye conditions early and receive appropriate medical attention to reduce their risk of visual impairment.
Mr Odoi said bringing the exercise to the university campus enabled the organisers to reach students directly, educate them in their classrooms and encourage them to adopt healthy eye care practices.
He noted that the extensive use of mobile phones, televisions and laptops could affect eye health, making regular eye examinations and preventive measures particularly important.
Mr Odoi said the students who benefited from the exercise could also share the knowledge acquired with their families and friends, helping to extend awareness of eye care to the wider community.
“Participants were offered discounts on eyeglasses, while those requiring further medical attention were referred to any branch of the Third Eye Care and Vision Centre for additional tests at discounted prices,” he stressed.
Frames were also made available at reduced prices to make eye care more accessible to participants.
Mr Odoi said the clubs were planning additional projects within the year to distribute free eyeglass frames to people who could not afford them.
He said the clubs had accumulated frames for donation and intended to use them to support people in need, as part of their continued commitment to promoting vision care and preventing avoidable visual impairment.
Mr David Anum Adjei, Marketing Executive, Third Eye Care and Vision Centre, said they expected about 200 and more than a 1000 students of Knutsford University to benefit from the free eye screening exercise.
He said the exercise had received an encouraging response from the teaching and non-teaching staff as well as students.
He said the enthusiasm demonstrated by participants reflected growing interest in maintaining good eye health and taking preventive measures against visual impairment.
Mr. Adjei explained that the screening included eye pressure tests using a tonometer, refraction tests to assess participants’ vision and visual acuity tests to determine how clearly they could see.
He said the eye pressure test could help identify possible abnormalities requiring further examination, including conditions that might otherwise go undetected.
“The exercise will also help participants understand their eye care needs, including whether they required specialised lenses such as photochromic lenses and blue-light-filtering lenses,” he added.
He said participants found to have eye conditions would receive guidance and referrals for further scans, examinations and treatment through the Centre’s facilities.
The Marketing Executive said the Centre was also compiling a report on the exercise and planned to undertake follow-up visits to assess outcomes and determine the next steps in supporting beneficiaries.
GNA
Edited by Kenneth Odeng Adade