Summit highlights glaucoma needs in Africa

Shlomo Melamed

PARIS — Eight of the many factors that contribute to glaucoma patient care issues in Africa were addressed in the first World Glaucoma Association African Glaucoma Summit in Accra, Ghana, last summer, according to a presenter here.

"The problem [in Africa] is really more severe because there's no awareness of glaucoma in the public and in the government, fewer resources devoted to glaucoma. There's lack of basic diagnostic tools. Drugs are too expensive for most people. And glaucoma surgery has what we call 'a bad reputation,'" summit co-organizer Shlomo Melamed, MD, PhD, said at the World Glaucoma Congress.

In addition, other issues, such as starvation, political instability and AIDS are seen as more immediate challenges, he said.

The summit identified possible practical solutions to specific topics affecting glaucoma care in Africa, according to Dr. Melamed. He co-chaired the summit with Leon W. Herndon, MD, and Tarek Shaarawy, MD, MSc. Approximately 250 people from 27 countries attended.

The topics debated included glaucoma education, best treatment choices in Africa and integrating glaucoma management into existing ophthalmology programs.

"We had two days of vivid discussions with a very friendly atmosphere. We were really stricken by the passion and the commitment to glaucoma by our African colleagues, especially the young African colleagues," Dr. Melamed said.

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