Wearing Eye Glasses –It’s all fashion

BY NANA AMA PREBAH

Several people have given diverse opinions regarding the surge in the sales and patronage of eye glasses.

Some call it ‘Kata Awia’ to wit protection from the sun, others also call it shades.

While some refer to the sale of eye glasses as a lucrative business gaining grounds in this post modern era, others think that it is fashionable to wear eye glasses.

Eye glasses come in various shapes, shades, and sizes to suit the equally eager patrons.

Their prices also differ; they are determined by the type, shape and most especially the designers, as people in recent times are more particular about buying things branded with world acclaimed designers like Gucci, D&G, Dorothy Perkins, etc.

Meanwhile research has established that good eye health and eye care are crucial to protecting the sight of human beings. It is therefore necessary to prevent common eye disorders and to treat eye problems early.

Opticians have hinted that it is important to learn about the anatomy of the eye, including actions that affect the eye either negatively or positively.

It is also important to find out about eye diseases, contagious conditions such as pinkeye, and how to tell if you have good eyesight.

Of the 20 million people living in country, the Ghana Eye Foundation has reported that it is estimated that 200,000 are blind and that over 600,000 more people are visually impaired.

Many people have however expressed great displeasure about have those who sell eyeglasses exposes them to the sun.

The fear is that the eyeglasses may lose their optical power especially in the case of medicated lens.

An interview with Mr. Moses Tetteh Korley, an Ophthalmic Medical Officer and Mr. John Orleans Thompson an Optical Technician both of Tema Christian Eye Centre revealed that there is absolutely nothing wrong wearing eyeglasses.

Both Optical experts admitted that it is actually good to put on eyeglasses especially in our part of the world where dust is almost inevitably part of us.

Mr. Moses Korley and his colleague disclosed that aside the fact that the eyeglasses prevents foreign materials from entering into the eyes, they also protect the eyes from the ultra violet rays excess of which may cause damage to the retina of the eye.

However, the fear of these eye experts is that people may not be able to choose the right eyeglasses especially in the cases of medicated lenses.

They explained further that,  a lens that is concave, or curves inward, is used to correct nearsightedness, while a lens that is convex, or curves outward, is used to correct farsightedness.

“The type of vision problem that you have determines the shape of the eyeglass lens. Lots of people do not know this, so they only walk to those who sell on the street, try the lenses available and when they feel there are comfortable in a particular one, they pay for it.”

He added that “this may not serve do them any good in the long run though in the short term they may feel they are ok.”

To correct astigmatism, which is caused by distortions in the shape of the cornea, a cylinder shaped lens is frequently used. Simply put, the eyeglass lens is a tool you use to focus light appropriately on your retina.

The Optical experts advised that though eyeglasses can correct some common vision problems, it is important to have routine eye examinations regularly to keep the eyes healthy.

It is against this background that TODAY sampled the views from some students of the Ghana Institute of Languages (GIL), and this is what they had to tell the paper.

Anita Hayford, French student

“I don’t really see anything wrong putting on eye glasses. For me, it is very nice to put them on, the big shades, the smaller ones and more especially designer ones such as Gucci and the likes because it adds up to my beauty. It is really fashionable and fun to put on glasses”.

Paula, French student

“In this our part of the world where we are so much exposed to the sun rays, I think it is reasonable to put on eye glasses to protect the eyes”.

Gifty Oparebea- Arabic student

“I don’t really like putting on eyeglasses because I feel it would not look good on me. However, I admire people who wear them; I think it makes them look nice though it is not the case for everybody”.

Iddrisu- French student

“I am not a fun of glasses and I don’t think I would ever be. Though I admit that it helps protect the eye from foreign particles, I thank God that my eyes are already small so I don’t think I need any eyeglass for anything.”

Nadia, from Gabon

“To talk of me liking shades is under statement, I really love shades because it brings out the shape of my face and makes me look extra nice. It is also the protect me eyes from the sun and I don’t think it bad at all”

Nana Akosua Boatemaa Baidoo, Spanish student –

“I put on the shade in order to protect my eyes from the piercing ultra-violet rays. It makes me look nice also. I don’t have any specification in particular but then any fashionable one which will cover part of my face will do”

Lambert, a Ghanaian student studying English

“I think eye glasses are good. Though I don’t really like putting it on myself, I think it is not a bad idea for someone to use it. I guess it is cool and I admire people who put them on”.