Local surgeons give the gift of sight
While cataracts are treatable with eye surgery, many people are unable to access surgical treatment due to poverty and overburdened State hospitals.
A LOCAL hospital has teamed up with a registered non-profit, non-governmental organisation, Into the Light Foundation to improve the plight of as many indigent patients inflicted with impaired vision due to cataracts.
While cataracts are treatable with eye surgery, many people are unable to access surgical treatment due to poverty and overburdened State hospitals. Cataracts the clouding of the eye’s natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. It’s the leading cause of correctable blindness in South Africa.
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Doctor Kavitha Naidu a retinal specialist from the Lenmed Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre has joined forces with Into The Light Foundation and in celebration of Eye Care Awareness Month Naidoo offered her services pro-bono last month. Naidu was joined by colleague resident ophthalmologist Dr Bhavna Jugadeo. Together they operated 14 people who received free cataract surgery during Eye Care Awareness Month which ran from 21 September to 18 October. Dr Kavitha Naidu, a retinal specialist performed retinal surgery for one candidate
A cataract eye operation can cost up to R25 000, while retinal surgery in the region of R60000.
Naidu said: “Cataracts are mostly found in older people or it can be genetic in younger people. It can also be caused by diabetes and can lead to partial blindness. I can not imagine what it must be like to not be able to see. I am thankful that I can help people.”
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Noziphiwo Ntlokwana, one of the recipients of the service had this to say: “My eyes were very sensitive to the light. I could not even read my Bible.”
Lenmed Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre Hospital manager Niresh Bechan said, “It is a great feeling to be able to give back, especially sight, something we all take for granted. ”
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