During the week of 16 to 20 October 2023, 102 cataract surgeries were performed at the Vrendendal Hospital Eye Care Centre by a team of healthcare workers from the Belgian-based organisation Smile and See Foundation.
The healthcare team was made up of three ophthalmologists, one optometrist and two assistants.
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The Smile and See Foundation also provided all the required materials to perform the surgeries. All surgeries performed were on patients whose condition had progressed so far that they were no longer able to see.
Dr Magdel Putter, an ophthalmologist at Paarl Hospital who frequently collaborates with Vredendal Eye Care Centre, explained the significance of this undertaking:
‘We perform 20 to 40 cataract operations monthly at Vredendal Hospital. These surgeries were also not performed as usual for the past 4 years due to many contributing factors, which include COVID-19, personnel shortages and consumable shortages,’ she stated.
The factors listed by Dr Putter have all contributed to the over 1 000 patients who are currently waiting for this sight-restoring surgery at Vredendal.
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The impact of these surgeries extends far beyond improved eye health.
‘These surgeries enable patients to regain their vision, stay economically active and function independently. Many of these patients are the only breadwinners and lose their jobs due to cataracts,’ said Dr Putter.
Expressing gratitude for the collaborative work, Dr Putter acknowledged the local and international role players who made the week’s achievements possible.
Special thanks were given to Rudi Du Pont and Pietie van Aarde from the Paarl Rotarian Clubs, who invested their personal time and effort to aid those in need.
‘A big thank you to the Belgium team for coming to do the surgeries and sponsoring the consumables and lenses. They delivered a service of the highest quality, and we are all very thankful for the time and effort they spent,’ Dr Putter concluded.
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Picture: César Badilla Miranda / Unsplash