Given the gift of sight at 85
"I can see so clearly now, and the colours are so bright. I was concerned that I would never be able to see anyone again," said the retired Briardene seamstress.
FOR the first time in 10 years, Briardene resident, Daphne Davey (85), can once again see the world clearly. An aggressive cataract has slowly been stealing the sight from her left eye, while diabetes has blinded her in her right eye.
However, on Tuesday, 27 October, following a successful cataract surgery, she was nearly reduced to tears as Dr Kavitha Naidu, an ophthalmic surgeon, removed the bandage from her left eye, revealing a bright, new world for the mother and grandmother.
Davey is one of five people who have recently had their vision restored via pro-bono surgeries at the Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre (EHHC) in celebration of Eye Care Awareness Month.
“I can see so clearly now, and the colours are so bright. I was concerned that I would never be able to see anyone again,” said the retired seamstress during an interview with the Northglen News.
According to Davey’s daughter, Jasmine Smerdon, her mother seemed to be caught in a ‘dark hole’ prior to the surgery.
“She always seemed so sad. I think she missed seeing her family properly. Her vision grew so bad that she was forced to read her Bible or the newspaper with her glasses and a magnifying glass,” said Smerdon.
Dr Naidu restored Davey’s vision by removing the cataract and replacing it with an acrylic lens implant. “Every year we offer these surgeries to five or ten people from disadvantaged backgrounds. It is such a simple procedure that can give someone their eyesight back. People often take their eyesight for granted, so for someone who is passionate about my work, it is an incredibly rewarding effort,” said Naidu.
Niresh Bechan, the hospital manager, said, “Over and above creating awareness during Eye Care Awareness month, we extend ourselves to the community by offering free cataract surgery to patients who are selected from the state’s waiting list.”
What is a cataract?
A cataracts, also known as a ‘clouding of the lens’ develops as a person ages and causes their vision to deteriorate. Colours become dull and images are blurred. This may progress until the person’s vision is completely obstructed by the cataract.
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