In many parts of the world, children silently lose their sight—not because treatment is unavailable, but because their vision problems go unnoticed. In Ghana,Dr. Cynthia Pakyennu, a passionate optometrist and founder of Sight for the Rural Child, is leading the charge to change the narrative. She is on a mission to bring eye care services to the country’s most underserved communities. Through tireless outreach and free eye screenings, she ensures that no child is left in the dark due to preventable blindness.
Cynthia’s journey into optometry was deeply personal. Inspired by her own experiences with eye examinations and by witnessing the devastating impact of glaucoma on a close friend, she knew she wanted to make a difference. After completing Optometry School in 2020, she worked for a year while running her organization part-time. However, she realized that to make a meaningful impact in northern Ghana—a region with limited access to eye care—she had to commit fully. She moved back home in 2023 and began to run Sight for the Rural Child with her personal savings. Today, she is at the forefront of pediatric eye care in rural Ghana, with a goal of screening one million children by 2030.
During a recent conversation between Cynthia Pakyennu and Ruth Ngaruiya, Program Manager at Know The Glow, the two discussed the alarming lack of awareness surrounding leukocoria and retinoblastoma—conditions that can be life-threatening if not detected early. Many children in Ghana are misdiagnosed due to limited knowledge among healthcare providers, causing critical delays in treatment. Cynthia and Ruth emphasized the need to educate parents, teachers, and community members on spotting the early warning signs of these eye diseases.
Through Sight for the Rural Child, Cynthia and her team provide free eye care services, focusing on early detection and treatment for rural children. She understands the importance of early intervention, especially for symptoms like leukocoria (a white glow in the eye) and retinoblastoma (a rare form of eye cancer). She shared heartbreaking stories of children who were initially misdiagnosed due to a lack of awareness, underscoring the urgent need for education and screenings in communities with limited access to eye care.
Cynthia’s work is largely self-funded, with some support from donations and partnerships. Organizations such as OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation has supported the mission of Sight for the Rural Child by donating 10,000 pairs of glasses in 2024 and committed to providing an additional 15,000 in 2025.
Currently,Dr. Cynthia Pakyennu Gboglu is working towards an even bigger milestone: establishing the first Pediatric Vision Clinic and Training Center in northern Ghana. In collaboration with one of the reputable universities in Ghana, she aims to introduce a three-month certificate course to equip optometrists with specialized skills in pediatric eye care. She continues to seek further donations and support to achieve her goal.
While Know The Glow currently focuses on digital awareness campaigns and educational materials, Ruth and Cynthia are exploring ways to support each other’s initiatives. Cynthia remains hopeful that with increased awareness and the right partnerships, she can help prevent vision loss among thousands of children across Ghana.
Her dedication is a powerful reminder that even small actions—whether a free eye screening, an educational flyer, or a shared story—can transform lives, one child at a time.
