Eye Care Awareness Week

Cataract surgeries to benefit less fortunate during Eye Care Awareness Week

In celebration of Eye Care Awareness Week 2011, the Port Elizabeth Eye and Laser Institute, in partnership with the PE Provincial hospital’s ophthalmology department, provided free cataract surgery to a select group of 24 individuals.

The Institute’s resident ophthalmologists performed cataract procedures on Saturday, 8 October 2011 at the recently re-launched Medical Forum Theatre – the Eastern Cape’s only private day hospital.

Cataracts are the major cause of blindness in South Africa, affecting some 160 000 people.
Due to the slow progression of cataract growth, the elderly are most affected by this eye condition which leads to hazy and blurry vision.
Many are less fortunate and unable to have the necessary surgery to enable them to see their surroundings as you and I do. 
Many are also unaware of the opportunities for corrective surgery.

“Cataracts occur in varying degrees and forms and may be caused by a multitude of eye conditions, trauma and aging.
There is no known prevention method, however proper eye care treatment will ensure the growth of a cataract is monitored and subsequently treated through surgery when it alters the patient’s standard of living,” said Elsabe Pretorius, Nursing Manager at the Medical Forum Theatre. 
During cataract surgery, the affected lens is removed and replaced with an artificial one.
The operation usually takes between 10 and 20 minutes, depending on how far the cataract has progressed.

This is the 13th year that the Eye and Laser Institute has taken part in this national project.
“This is the first year where an entire day has been dedicated to this great cause and it is wonderful to know that we have helped so many people.
The best part is when they return for their post-ops and they mention how much detail they have been missing,” said Pretorius.

The team of medical professionals at the Port Elizabeth Eye and Laser Institute set out to create a Centre of Excellence for vision and eye care and this annual project compliments this vision.
During the 2010 financial year, a total of 2770 surgical procedures were performed by the ophthalmology department at the PE Provincial hospital, of which 1309 were cataract operations.
According to Dr Danie Louw of the ophthalmology department, a further 546 cataract operations were done on outreach projects to Grahamstown, Graaff-Reinet, Humansdorp, Somerset East and Uitenhage.

Contact :
Elsabe Pretorius – Nursing Manager – Medical Forum Theatre
041 373 0682