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Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo

Optometry and Visual Science

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About

Dr Kwadwo Owusu Akuffo is a Senior Lecturer and Former Head of Department, Optometry and Visual Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana, where he contributes to training the next generation of optometrists and vision scientists. He completed his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in 2017 at the Nutrition Research Centre Ireland, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland; investigating the impact of macular carotenoid and co-antioxidant supplementation on visual function in patients with early age-related macular degeneration. His PhD work was supported by the European Research Council Grant 281096.Dr Akuffo studied Doctor of Optometry (OD) at KNUST, graduating in 2011. During his studies at KNUST, he was on the Faculty of Biosciences Dean’s Honours List on three consecutive occasions for outstanding academic performance.Dr Akuffo has been trained in retinal photograph grading at the Moorfields Eye Hospital Reading Centre, London, UK, and has been certified to grade cataracts using the Lens Opacities Classification System (LOCS) III by the Chylack Incorporated.Dr Akuffo has published over 40 scientific peer-reviewed articles and has contributed to several conference proceedings in his research field. He currently has external collaborations with the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC; South Africa) where he is using data from the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES) to investigate prevalence of Eye Disease and its associated risk factors in South Africa. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) and a member of the Ghana Optometric Association (GOA). He was recognized for his scientific excellence as ‘Affiliate of the African Academy of Sciences’ following a competitive evaluation process.He is a Reviewer for the several journals including Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, British Journal of Ophthalmology, Ophthalmic Research, International Journal of Vitreous and Retina, and Eye and Vision. Currently, he serves as an Associate Editor for BMC Ophthalmology.In addition to his academic and research work, Dr. Akuffo is very passionate about mentorship and the career development of young people. Throughout his mentorship, students have won several prestigious international awards including the Harvard Crossroads Emerging Leaders Program (CELP) Fellowship, and Developing Country Eye Researcher Travel Fellowship (DCERF). Dr. Akuffo currently serves as a Board Member of the African STEM Network and Youth Arise Organization.

Research Summary

(inferred from publications by AI)

The researcher has published several papers focusing on retinal disease management in Ghana, covering themes such as macular pigments, supplementations for macular degeneration, treatments for other retinal disorders, and interventions against blindness. Despite some notable advancements, there is a need for further systematic reviews to integrate findings from these diverse studies. The research highlights strategies like supplementing with carotenoids, employing light exposure, and addressing visual impairments in a unified approach. Future work should explore the relationship between light factors and macular pigments to better understand their effects on vision care in Ghana.

Research Themes

All Papers

Enrichment of Macular Pigment Enhances Contrast Sensitivity in Subjects Free of Retinal Disease: Central Retinal Enrichment Supplementation Trials – Report 1(2016)
Macular Pigment, Visual Function, and Macular Disease among Subjects with Alzheimer's Disease: An Exploratory Study(2014)
The Impact of Supplemental Macular Carotenoids in Alzheimer's Disease: A Randomized Clinical Trial(2015)
SUPPLEMENTATION WITH THREE DIFFERENT MACULAR CAROTENOID FORMULATIONS IN PATIENTS WITH EARLY AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION(2014)
Serum and macular response to carotenoid-enriched egg supplementation in human subjects: the Egg Xanthophyll Intervention clinical Trial (EXIT)(2017)
Non-dietary correlates and determinants of plasma lutein and zeaxanthin concentrations in the Irish population(2016)
The Relationship Between Plasma Concentrations of Lutein and Zeaxanthin with Self-Reported and Actual Prevalence of AMD in an Irish Population-Based Sample(2017)
Sustained supplementation and monitored response with differing carotenoid formulations in early age-related macular degeneration(2015)
Cognitive Function and Its Relationship with Macular Pigment Optical Density and Serum Concentrations of its Constituent Carotenoids(2015)
The Impact of Supplemental Antioxidants on Visual Function in Nonadvanced Age-Related Macular Degeneration: A Head-to-Head Randomized Clinical Trial(2017)
Central Retinal Enrichment Supplementation Trials (CREST): Design and Methodology of the CREST Randomized Controlled Trials(2014)
Concordance of Macular Pigment Measurement Using Customized Heterochromatic Flicker Photometry and Fundus Autofluorescence in Age-Related Macular Degeneration(2015)
Eye care utilization among diabetics in the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1): a cross-sectional study(2020)
Situational analysis of diabetic retinopathy treatment Services in Ghana(2021)
Author Response: Comments on Enrichment of Macular Pigment Enhances Contrast Sensitivity in Subjects Free of Retinal Disease: CREST - Report 1(2016)
Burden of malaria in children under five and caregivers’ health-seeking behaviour for malaria-related symptoms in artisanal mining communities in Ghana(2021)
Malaria vaccine-related adverse events among children under 5 in sub-Saharan Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis protocol(2023)
Prevalence of age-related macular degeneration in the Republic of Ireland(2015)
Orthostatic hypertension as a risk factor for age-related macular degeneration: Evidence from the Irish longitudinal study on ageing(2018)
Macular Pigment, Cognition, and Visual Function in Younger Healthy Adults in Ghana(2023)
Dietary factors and predominant eye diseases in sub-Saharan African populations: A systematic review protocol(2025)
Artificial intelligence applications in refractive error management: A systematic review and meta-analysis(2025)
Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Students in the Kumasi Metropolis(2015)
Prevalence and associated factors of vision loss in the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1)(2021)
Eye care utilization pattern in South Africa: results from SANHANES-1(2020)
Relationship between macular pigment and visual function in subjects with early age-related macular degeneration(2016)
Vision loss, vision difficulty and psychological distress in South Africa: results from SANHANES-1(2021)
Prevalence and pattern of amblyopia in a rural hospital in Ghana(2020)
Practice patterns in the management of amblyopia among optometrists in Ghana(2022)
Postoperative vision outcomes after cataract surgery in the Eastern region of Ghana(2022)
Low vision practice and service provision among Optometrists in Ghana: a nationwide survey(2023)
Measuring Visual Function Using the MultiQuity System: Comparison with an Established Device(2014)
Spontaneous reporting of adverse drug reaction among health professionals in Ghana(2022)
Spontaneous Reporting of Adverse Drug Reaction Among Health Professionals In Kpone-Katamanso District, Ghana(2021)
Career aspirations and factors influencing career choices of optometry students in Ghana(2020)
Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception of African Optometrists on Fellowship of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO): A Cross-Sectional Survey(2024)
Job satisfaction and its associated factors among optometrists in Ghana: a cross-sectional study(2021)
Job satisfaction and its associated factors among opticians in Ghana: a cross-sectional study(2021)
Protocol for a prospective, multicentre, cross-sectional cohort study to assess personal light exposure(2024)
Protocol for a prospective, multicentre, cross-sectional cohort study to assess personal light exposure(2024)
Physiologically relevant real-world light exposure and its behavioural and environmental determinants in Kumasi, Ghana(2025)
Psychosocial interventions and their effectiveness on quality of life among elderly persons living with HIV in Africa South of the Sahara: Systematic review and meta -analysis protocol(2023)
Uptake of HIV Testing and Counselling among the Youth in Kintampo South District, Ghana(2021)
Uptake of HIV Testing and Counselling among the Youth in Kintampo South District, Ghana(2021)
Praziquantel-related visual disorders among recipients in mass drug administration campaigns in schistosomiasis endemic settings: Systematic review and meta-analysis protocol(2024)
Safety of praziquantel in persons with and without schistosomiasis: systematic review and meta-analysis(2022)
Optimal Prevalence Threshold For Guiding The Implementation Of Preventive Chemotherapy In Countries Endemic For Schistosomiasis: Synthesis Of Evidence From Mass Drug Administration Programmes For Developing This Tool(2021)
The Impact of Cataract, and Its Surgical Removal, on Measures of Macular Pigment Using the Heidelberg Spectralis HRA+OCT MultiColor Device(2016)
Orthostatic blood pressure variability is associated with lower visual contrast sensitivity function: Findings from The Irish Longitudinal Study on Aging(2019)
Determinants of blood glucose control among people with Type 2 diabetes in a regional hospital in Ghana(2021)
Assessment of availability, awareness and perception of stakeholders regarding preschool vision screening in Kumasi, Ghana: An exploratory study(2020)
Regulatory compliance among over-the-counter medicine sellers facilities within the Upper East Region of Ghana(2021)
Clinical characteristics of external bacterial ocular and periocular infections and their antimicrobial treatment patterns among a Ghanaian ophthalmic population(2022)
Clinical Characteristics of External Ocular and Periocular Infections and Their Antimicrobial Treatment Patterns Among a Ghanaian Ophthalmic Population; A Multicenter Study(2022)
Elucidating fungal etiology and multi-drug resistance in oculomycosis and bioprospecting native medical plants as candidates for antifungal therapy(2024)
Elucidating fungi pathogens and multi-drug resistance in oculomycosis, and bioprospecting native plants as antifungal therapy(2024)
Malaria and typhoid fever among patients presenting with febrile illnesses in Ga West Municipality, Ghana(2023)
Malaria and typhoid fever coinfection among patients presenting with febrile illnesses in Ga West Municipality, Ghana(2022)
The effect of eye disease, cataract surgery and hearing aid use on multisensory integration in ageing(2020)
Low Vision Practice and Service Provision Among Optometrists in Ghana: A Nationwide Survey(2024)
Prevalence of Childhood Cataract and Associated Factors Among a Pediatric Population at A Tertiary Hospital in Ghana(2022)
Accessibility and Challenges to Ophthalmic Instruments Acquisition among Optometry Students in Ghana(2025)
Accessibility and challenges to ophthalmic instruments acquisition among optometry students in Ghana(2025)
Mental health problems in pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis protocol(2024)
The burden of iatrogenic obstetric fistulas in Sub-Saharan Africa: Systematic review and meta-analysis protocol(2024)
Surgery-related obstetric fistulas across health facilities in sub-Saharan African countries: systematic review and meta-analysis(2025)
Phenotypes of orthostatic blood pressure behaviour and association with visual acuity(2015)
Eye Diseases among Women Engaged in Local Extraction of Palm Kernel Oil in the Kumasi Metropolis(2014)
200 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PREVALENCE (AND AWARENESS) OF AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION AND PLASMA CONCENTRATIONS OF LUTEIN AND ZEAXANTHIN IN AN OLDER POPULATION(2016)
Seroprevalence of SARS CoV-2 infection in Low and Middle-Income Countries and risk classification in the context of rolling out vaccine candidate across these countries : Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis(2021)
Utilization of Facility-based Delivery Services in the Wa Municipality, Ghana(2022)
Dietary Factors and Predominant Eye Diseases in Sub-Saharan African Populations: A Comprehensive Systematic Review Protocol(2025)
Breastfeeding and Complementary Feeding are Associated With Cognition and Vision in Rural Ghanaian Infants(2025)
An integrative examination of psychological distress and its nutritional and visual correlates among young adults in Ghana(2025)
Physiologically relevant real-world light exposure and its behavioural and environmental determinants in Kumasi, Ghana(2025)
Central Retinal Enrichment Supplementation Trials (CREST): Design and Methodology(2013)

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About This Profile

This profile is generated from publicly available publication metadata and is intended for research discovery purposes. Themes, summaries, and trajectories are inferred computationally and may not capture the full scope of the lecturer's work. For authoritative information, please refer to the official KNUST profile.