Universitas Academic Hospital’s Ophthalmology embarked on a 4-day cataract marathon campaign where they restored sight of people suffering from the condition to reduce the waiting time for patients.

According to Optic Edge, “Eye Care Awareness Month is commemorated from 21 September to 18 October to raise awareness about the importance of eye health, specifically around the prevention and treatment of avoidable blindness.”

Seventy-five percent of all cases of blindness are avoidable either through prevention or treatment – which is why getting your eyes tested at least once per year is important.

Patient undergoing cataract surgery. Photo: Heidre Malgas

“We have about 500 patients who need the surgery and the programme has been running since 1999. Cataracts are a reversible condition. We do not only do it at National and Universitas hospitals but all over the Free State,” said Prof Wayne Marais, head of Ophthalmology.

“Most of the patients can’t afford private healthcare and the service they get with us is the same as private, the only difference is there are too many patients. We treat about 30 patients per day which amounts to almost 150 per week.”

“A cataract is a frosting or clouding of the lens inside the eye. The most common cause is ageing, but may be accelerated by diabetes or eye trauma. At the age of 65 almost half the population has developed an early cataract.

“By the age of 70, almost everyone has developed a cataract,” according to iCare Sandton. “Cataracts can take anything from a few months to many years to develop.

“Sometimes the process stops in the early stages and vision is not seriously affected.”

Francios de Beer (49). Photo: Heidre Malgas

A patient awaiting surgery, Francios de Beer (49) said he has been waiting for the surgery for almost two years and has been in between Bethlehem and Bloemfontein awaiting a spot for surgery. He said it is a bad condition to live with because your sight is negatively impacted. He has had the cataract since 2019 and it has been a difficult journey.

Anna Gaka (72). Photo: Heidre Malgas 

A patient who has already undergone the surgery, Anna Gaka (72) from Wesselsbron said she started going blind in her right eye in 2022 which has since affected her left eye. She said she came to the National Hospital in Bloemfontein in July 2023 to have the eye checked out and got a date for October 2024.

She said she’s ecstatic about going home, making herself tea, and sleeping in her bed. Before the surgery, her neighbour and grand-daughter helped her a lot and she’s happy about relieving the pressure off of them.   

“Following last year’s successful cataract surgery marathon, we are hoping that everything will run smoothly. We’re also excited to announce that we are already fully-booked for the 2024 cataract surgery marathon campaign,” said Matron Wendy Mashifane, Operational Manager at UAH Annex.

The nurses and two post-surgery patients. Photo: Rethabile Monyane 

The much-anticipated annual marathon started on Tuesday (1/10) and will run until Friday (1/11).

A team of Ophthalmologists (eye surgeons) that will be performing the procedures will be led by Prof Wayne Marais.

OFM News/Heidre Malgas & Rethabile Monyane mvh