Free Cataract Surgeries of 3000 Poor Patients

As part of Al-Mustafa Welfare Society's Eye Campaign, a Free Eye Camp was held in Bharchundi Shareef, located in the vicinity of Daharki, in the District Ghotki of Sindh. 

Objectives

• Provision of Free Cataract Surgeries to the poor and underprivileged populations living in Pakistan's urban and rural areas who don't have access to affordable eye care services.
• To provide medical eye care services to eliminate avoidable blindness in underdeveloped parts of the country.
• To create awareness of eye care services for the elimination of blindness.

Al-Mustafa's  Eye Campaign Team selected the campsite, coordinating Al-Mustafa's local network and the feedback from the local community. To facilitate a significant number of beneficiaries, we need to reach out to the maximum number of people. For that purpose, we sought support from the Primary Eye Care Centers in the area, government health institutions, local administration, schools etc., for the advertisement and to make the campsite easily assessable for most patients in the community.

Statistical Summary:

1. Total Beneficiaries 1200
2. Total Cataract Surgeries 433
3. Total Hepatitis-C Positive 24

Our Team

The team for the Eye Camps consists of 3 Ophthalmologists and 14 other technical staff. Local volunteers from schools and other social workers are also encouraged to participate.

The Camp

The Eye Camp was conducted for two days. Twelve hundred patients were examined, and four hundred and thirty-three Cataract Surgeries were performed at the campsite. Patients who required eye care treatment other than cataract surgery were also given necessary treatment and medicines at the same site. All these services were provided entirely free of cost.

After calculating IOL power using biometry, all cataract patients were operated on using the Small Incision Cataract Surgery procedure with Intraocular Lens (IOL) implantation. Operated patients were discharged with the required medicines, a pair of sunglasses and counselling for postoperative care. Patients were found satisfied with better vision.

Postoperative Follow-ups

After one month, postoperative follow-ups were done by Ophthalmic Assistants of the respective primary eye care centre.

Hepatitis C-Investigations

Apart from providing Eye Care Services, we also conduct Free Hepatitis-C investigations, and the positive cases are referred for further treatment. 

We will continue to send more campsite reports in the coming days.