A young boy who lost one of his eyes after it was affected by cancer, received an artificial eye at the Cansa Polokwane Care Centre last Thursday morning in a procedure that took about 30 minutes.
Charmain van Druten, a Pretoria-based ocularist engaged by Cansa Polokwane implanted the artificial eye on Katlego Malapane, a Grade 3 learner from Tumishi Primary School near Burgersfort. “We identify patients in need of artificial eyes and access funds donated by Mitchell House some years ago to pay for the implants. The patients initially receive temporary units to allow their eye muscles to adapt to the foreign material and more permanent customised eyes are implanted later,” Bobby Were, TLC coordinator of Cansa Polokwane said and added that the cost of the more permanent implant could add up to R8 000. “Two other young patients will also receive eyes later today and we arrange these sessions from time to time, depending on the number of patients that we identify,” Were explained.
Van Druten said that the artificial eyes enhance the appearance of the patients and restore their confidence. “It gives me so much joy to see the young faces blooming when they see their new faces in the mirror,” Van Druten said and added that the customised eyes are made to as close as possibly resemble the healthy eyes.
Katlego’s mother, Kedibone was overjoyed. “I am very happy for my child and appreciate the assistance provided by Cansa and the donors. This eye will change his life,” she said.
Were extended his sincere appreciation towards Mitchell House for sustaining the project and invited the public to make donations towards this worthy cause as well.
Story and photo: BARRY VILJOEN
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