Lions International District 418 conducts free eye screening for 300 drivers, traders at Tema and 37 Lorry Stations in Accra

Lions International District 418 has organised a free eye screening exercise for nearly 300 drivers, drivers’ mates, and traders at the Tema Station and 37 Lorry Station in Accra.

The initiative, carried out in collaboration with the National Road Safety Authority (NRSA), forms part of Lions International’s global vision programme aimed at preventing avoidable blindness among the public.

Lion Isaac Batini, District Vision and Awareness Chairperson, said the campaign focused on raising awareness about the importance of regular eye checks, particularly for commercial drivers. He stressed that many road-related incidents are connected to poor vision, yet drivers and passengers often overlook eye health.

“We have realised that majority of our communication on the road have to do with vision but it is downplayed a lot. Drivers don’t give importance to their vision and the passengers do same, so there is the need to help by bringing it closer to them,” he said.

Lion Batini expressed satisfaction with the turnout, particularly at the 37 Lorry Station, where many drivers and their assistants participated in the screening. He commended the teamwork of the NRSA, Ghana Health Service, and station leaders in ensuring a smooth exercise.

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At the Tema Station, ophthalmic specialists recorded common eye conditions such as refractive errors, cataracts, pterygium, suspicious disc, and pinguecula. Interestingly, the majority of those screened were traders and passengers rather than the targeted drivers.

Madam Vida Arthur, an Ophthalmic Nurse at the Presbyterian Hospital, Aburi, and a member of the medical team, said some participants received medications on-site, while others were referred for surgery or further treatment at certified facilities. She explained that environmental factors like dust and sun exposure often contribute to eye conditions such as pterygium, while cataracts tend to develop with age.

“Before the age of 40, one should do eye review annually, but if glaucoma or cataract is seen in any family, members should do eye review twice a year,” she advised.

At the 37 Lorry Station, Madam Eunice Yeboah, Deputy Chief Nursing Officer at Ridge Hospital, disclosed that several individuals were diagnosed with immature cataract, refractive errors, pterygium, and allergies. While some were treated on-site, others were referred for further medical attention.

For many beneficiaries, it was their first-ever eye screening. Kojo Adomako, a driver operating between 37 Lorry Station and Burma Camp, said the exercise made him realise the urgency of seeking medical attention for his vision challenges. Another driver, Matthew Wilson, who plies the 37-Amasaman route, admitted that he had never had an eye check before and was now referred to a hospital after struggling to read small print during the test.

At Tema Station, trader Adwoa Kyerewaa was given medication and referred for surgery at Ridge Hospital after her screening.

Mr Charles Ntim, National Road Safety Advocate and Communicator for NRSA, Greater Accra Region, said the initiative aligns with the Authority’s commitment to ensuring the safety of all road users. He urged drivers to prioritise eye health, noting that good vision is crucial to road safety.

“All the strength and skills they apply to driving the vehicles are controlled by their eyes and so they are to pay attention to their sights,” he said.

He, however, expressed concern that some drivers opted not to participate in the screening, choosing instead to remain in their vehicles during the exercise.