The Port Shepstone Regional Hospital Eye Clinic recently hosted a cataract campaign which made a significant difference in restoring the eye sight of 27 patients who underwent cataract surgery between November 12 and 13.
According to the hospital’s public relations officer, Phumza Morai the clinic led by operational manager Nandashnee Ramdutt and professional nurse Nokuzola Jenkins successfully organised four campaigns since October 2021 until November 2022, where a total of 128 patients were operated during campaigns.
“The Department of Health focuses on reducing the odds of blindness and vision loss while also staying on top of any developing eye diseases such as cataracts and glaucoma. We encourage patients with eye issues to be seen in their local hospitals/community health centres which can refer them if their condition is serious. The hospital management wishes to extend their gratitude to Dr Frik de Jager, private specialist ophthalmologist who offered his time and operated on patients at no cost during this campaign. The hospital’s specialist ophthalmologist Dr Stephen Manyeruke and Dr Nashin Salagooa also participated in the campaign,” said Morai.
She added that most cataracts develop slowly and don’t disturb eyesight early, but it eventually interferes with vision.
Morai said at first, the eye’s cloudiness caused by cataracts may affect only a small part of the eye’s lens, saying that a person may be unaware of any vision loss.
“As the cataract grows larger, it clouds more of the lens and distorts the light passing through the lens. When the prescription glasses can’t clear the vision, the only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery. Risk factors that increase the development of cataracts include ageing, diabetes, excessive exposure to sunlight, smoking, obesity, high blood pressure, inflammation, previous eye surgery, prolonged use of corticosteroid medications and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. People can prevent eye cataracts by having regular eye examinations, by quitting smoking, managing other health problems correctly, choosing a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables, wearing of sunglasses and reduction of alcohol usage,” said Morai.
She added that they advise everyone to make appointments with their local health care facilities for an eye examination if they notice any changes in their vision such as double vision or flashes of light, sudden eye pain and headache.
“Taking good care of your eyes will reduce the odds of blindness and vision loss, therefore we urge everyone with eye problems to take action before the condition becomes severe,” said Morai.
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