A total of 86 inmates with low vision at Lira Central Government Prison have received free reading glasses in an intervention aimed at improving eye health among prisoners. Eye diseases remain highly prevalent in Ugandan prisons, largely due to poor nutrition, trauma, and limited access to specialised medical care.
Studies indicate that allergic conjunctivitis contributes about 19.6 percent of eye complications among inmates, presbyopia accounts for 27.4 percent, while cataracts contribute 11.4 percent. A 2021 study conducted at Luzira Prison found that nearly 49 percent of inmates suffered from eye-related complications.
The intervention in Lira was made possible through support from Lira Regional Referral Hospital in partnership with the Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology. According to Isaac Ekwan, the Eye Care Programs Manager at the Kilimanjaro Centre for Community Ophthalmology, inmates diagnosed with cataracts during the screening exercise will also undergo surgery at Lira Regional Referral Hospital.
Dr. Andrew Odur, the Acting Director of Lira Regional Referral Hospital, revealed plans by the hospital to establish an eyeglass manufacturing workshop to improve access to affordable eye care services. He said the initiative will help reduce the burden faced by many patients who travel long distances in search of specialised eye care.
Prison authorities commended the hospital management for extending eye care services to inmates, noting that the support will help improve their vision and overall well-being. Meanwhile, Dr. Shamiim Namwase, the Head of the Ophthalmology Department at Lira Regional Referral Hospital, urged inmates and the general public to prioritise eye hygiene and avoid harmful traditional practices.
Over the months of March and April, Lira Regional Referral Hospital conducted eye outreach programmes in the districts of Amolatar, Kole, and Kwania, where more than 300 community members benefited from eye surgeries while others with low vision received reading glasses-URN. Give us feedback on this story through our email: kamwokyatimes@gmail.com
