A needless, senseless shadowy world
I would like to devote some of my free time to bringing a greater awareness as to a senseless handicap that is inflicting the children of the developing world, many of which are right here in Indonesia. There are over 20M people who suffer from cataracts causing blindness /visual impairment and for just $20 many can have their sight restored.
I would like to devote some of my free time to bringing a greater awareness as to a senseless handicap that is inflicting the children of the developing world, many of which are right here in Indonesia. There are over 20M people who suffer from cataracts causing blindness /visual impairment and for just $20 many can have their sight restored.
As the world emerges from the catastrophic recession, my hope is that we are able to bring humanity from the ashes of greed. If we can do this; then a great place to start would be to restore the eyesight of so many children and adults alike that suffer needlessly, children who are in the main from all parts of the developing world.
I have lifted these two articles which explain this tragedy in more detail.
I am using my incredible vast audience who regularly visit my Bali Villas blogs in the hope that this article can be FB liked and shared in order to bring greater awareness to this miserable, senseless handicap.
Article 1:
Priority eye diseases
Cataract
Definition
Cataract is clouding of the lens of the eye which prevents
clear vision. Although most cases of cataract are related to the aging
process, occasionally children can be born with the condition, or a
cataract may develop after eye injuries, inflammation, and some other
eye diseases.
Magnitude
According to the latest assessment, cataract is responsible
for 51% of world blindness, which represents about 20 million people
(2010). Although cataracts can be surgically removed, in many countries
barriers exist that prevent patients to access surgery. Cataract remains
the leading cause of blindness. As people in the world live longer, the
number of people with cataract is anticipated to grow. Cataract is also
an important cause of low vision in both developed and developing
countries.
Prevention and treatment
Reduction of cigarette smoking, ultraviolet light exposure may
prevent or delay the development of cataract. Diabetes mellitus and
high body mass index are identified as additional risk factors.
The treatment of cataract is surgical, very successful in restoring sight. The opaque lens is removed and replaced by an artificial intraocular lens. In many remote parts of the developing world, people remain blind from cataract, due to a lack of access to eye care.
The treatment of cataract is surgical, very successful in restoring sight. The opaque lens is removed and replaced by an artificial intraocular lens. In many remote parts of the developing world, people remain blind from cataract, due to a lack of access to eye care.
Article 2:
While,
many causes of illness require long-term treatment (medication,
monitoring, hospitalization), cataract does not. Cataract surgery is a
one-time, low-cost procedure yielding dramatic results.
Source: "Fighting Global Blindness"
The HCP is committed to training surgeons and support staff in the developing world in the highest quality surgical techniques that are sustainable in their countries or context. To accomplish this, we continue to be a leader in the innovation of cataract removal techniques, including improving patient access and teaching advanced technology (such as phacoemulsification), facilitating access to quality low cost consumables, and developing increasingly efficient models of surgical delivery.
Protocol for Cataract Surgery Optimized for Use in Developing Countries, as designed by the Himalayan Cataract Project and the Tilganga Eye Centre
To allow widespread delivery of cataract surgery in developing countries, innovations that continue to decrease cost and complexity while preserving the highest level of safety and visual outcomes are urgently needed. HCP is dedicated to creating and implementing solutions to the barriers that impede delivery of cataract care in underserved parts of the trans-Himalayan region. For example, low-cost, portable, and robust operating microscopes and YAG lasers have been developed at TEC.Source: "Fighting Global Blindness"
The HCP is committed to training surgeons and support staff in the developing world in the highest quality surgical techniques that are sustainable in their countries or context. To accomplish this, we continue to be a leader in the innovation of cataract removal techniques, including improving patient access and teaching advanced technology (such as phacoemulsification), facilitating access to quality low cost consumables, and developing increasingly efficient models of surgical delivery.
HCP Performs Cataract Surgery in a Small Nepalese Village
Recounted by Dr. Geoff Tabin:
“For the next three days, 12 hours a day, Dr. Ruit and I perform surgery side by side in a makeshift operating room without any high-tech equipment besides our microscope. When the generator fails, we continue using the microscope to work on eyes illuminated by flashlights, which our dedicated assistants hold.Technicians, whom Dr. Ruit and I trained, inject local anesthetic to numb the patients' eyes and prepare them for surgery. When an operation is finished, the patient is rolled off one side of the table and the next patient is rolled on. The new patient's face is painted with antiseptic and surgery continues. The turnover time between patients is less than one minute. Dr. Ruit has no trouble sustaining a rate of seven perfect surgeries per hour for a 12-hour operating day.
For a cost of about $20, these patients get approximately the same surgery that was state of the art in America 10 years ago.”
Please share this article and help in some way, I'm not asking for donations only to get this issue out in the open so that it can be dealt with.
Many Thanks from the leading villas of Bali - we hope to do our bit.
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