February is Low Vision Awareness Month, a time to highlight the challenges faced by people with low vision and the life-changing impact of accessible eye care services. In Ghana, a major initiative is making significant strides to bridge the gap in low-vision care, ensuring that more people receive the support they need.
The HM-KNUST Low Vision Project, a collaboration between Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) in Kumasi and Hochschule München (HM) in Germany, is expanding specialist low vision services in the Ashanti region. With funding from the Kroener-Fresenius Foundation, a new Low Vision Unit has opened at KNUST, along with three satellite Low Vision Centres to serve surrounding communities.
Since their launch, these centres have already provided assessments, rehabilitation services, and assistive devices to 28 patients, offering essential support to improve their quality of life.
To ensure sustainable long-term care, Vision Action, funded by Optometry Giving Sight (OGS) and the Karen Sparrow Training & Education Fund, delivered a Training of Trainers (ToT) in Low Vision course at KNUST. The programme trained optometrists to become educators, helping to expand the number of professionals equipped to provide low vision services.
As part of the initiative, 16 final-year optometry students completed the Low Vision Foundation Course (LVFC), ensuring that more trained professionals will be available to support patients across Ghana.
Professor Mohammed Abdul-Kabir, Head of Optometry at KNUST, emphasised the impact of this training:
“The Training of Trainers in Low Vision conducted by Vision Action has been a game-changer in the Ashanti region. Currently, 108 fifth-year students are undergoing the Low Vision Foundation Course on campus.”
For trainee optometrists like Boni Patience Emefa, the experience has been transformational:
“This training will help me assess my low-vision patients properly, prescribe the right devices, and provide rehabilitation services to improve their independence.”
This Low Vision Awareness Month, we celebrate these milestones in Ghana’s eye care landscape. With more trained professionals and accessible services, this initiative is paving the way for better support, greater independence, and improved quality of life for people with low vision.