Telemedicine Evaluation of Chronic Ocular Irritation and Headache in Northern Ghana
Dr. Emmanuel Teyie
January 21, 2026
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Patient Voice
“I was worried I would need surgery and that it could keep coming back.”
— Patient during teleconsultation
Why This Matters
Chronic ocular surface irritation is common in dusty and high–UV environments.
In Northern Ghana, access to ophthalmology services is limited, and patients may delay care or develop anxiety about surgical management without adequate counselling.
Telemedicine offers early triage, symptom management, and education where in-person specialist review is not immediately available.
Clinical Presentation
Category | Details |
|---|---|
Patient | 27-year-old male, resident of Northern Ghana |
Ocular Symptoms | Long-standing episodic eye redness and foreign-body sensation |
Light Sensitivity | Photophobia and intermittent ocular pain |
Headache | Recurrent unilateral headaches (≈6/10 severity) |
Triggers | Symptoms worsened by dust, smoke, and chemical exposure |
Prior Care | Prior hospital visit: early pterygium diagnosis, surgery discussed |
Telemedicine Assessment Protocol
The following steps were undertaken during the telemedicine consultation:
Detailed ocular and headache history
Environmental exposure assessment
Review of prior clinical diagnosis
Neurological red-flag screening
Education on disease progression
Shared decision-making on treatment plan
Clinical Interpretation
Findings were most consistent with:
Mild pterygium or chronic ocular surface irritation
Migraine-type headache without neurological deficits
No features suggested urgent surgical intervention or intracranial pathology.
Management Plan
Ocular Care
Intervention |
|---|
Short-course topical steroid drops |
Lubricating eye drops (methylcellulose) |
Protective eyewear and irritant avoidance |
Photo documentation for follow-up |
Headache Care
Intervention |
|---|
Abortive medication at onset |
Preventive therapy |
Trigger identification diary |
Outcome
Immediate surgery avoided
Anxiety regarding recurrence reduced
Clear monitoring and escalation guidance provided
Follow-up teleconsultation scheduled
Patient satisfaction:
5/5 overall; no technical barriers; would reuse and recommend service.
Implications for Practice
This case demonstrates that structured telemedicine can:
Provide effective early triage for ocular conditions
Reduce unnecessary surgical escalation
Improve patient understanding and confidence
Extend specialist-level guidance to underserved settings
Limitations:
no direct slit-lamp exam; reliance on history and prior diagnosis; short-term follow-up only.
