A window of light into the heart of darkness
Dr Jeremy Joseph volunteered to perform cataract surgery
on patients in Zimbabwe in 1995, and participated in his first
expedition for SEE International (Surgical Eye Expeditions).
This London-based ophthalmologist knew to expect hundreds of
patients prematurely blinded by cataracts; their condition
compounded by poor facilities and lack of medication.
What he had not anticipated was the powerful impact this
experience would have on his own life. "My work with SEE
International is challenging and inspiring; very much a two-way
process," says Dr Joseph. "I have gained just as much from my
experience as I have given back. Many of the cases are not
ordinary cataracts. Patients are often young with traumatic
cataracts, or they are old with complex cataracts. I've had to
learn to operate in less than ideal circumstances, where the
water or electricity supply or both can stop at any time. But
I've had the pleasure of working with some of the world's
most dedicated ophthalmologists, and the experience has been
one of personal growth and confidence for me".
This seems to be an ongoing learning process. At the end
of a follow-up Eye Camp in Namibia, where Dr Joseph and his
colleagues operated on more than 125 patients, they walked into
a local hall where the patients had gathered to say goodbye.
"Every patient, who had previously been brought in blind, and
who could now see, came forward and in turn clasped each
surgeon's hand in thanks. The room spilled over with emotion,"
says Dr Joseph.
Cataract-induced blindness in this part of the world robs
the individual of the ability to work and earn a living, and the
social and economic consequences of blindness, are staggering.
Dr Joseph expands, "Our work isn't just about giving people back
their sight; we are helping them get their lives back." Since
that first expedition, Dr Joseph has participated in nine more.
He is one of hundreds of ophthalmologists from around the globe,
that have teamed up with SEE International to devote their time
and energy to fight cataract induced blindness, and other eye
diseases in the developing world.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO),
cataracts account for about half of the world's preventable
blindness and bilateral cataracts (cataracts in both eyes)
currently blind at least 20 million people. Harry Brown, a
Californian ophthalmologist, launched SEE International in the
early 1970s with a group of trained ophthalmic surgeons, nurses,
and technicians from around the world. Dr Brown's aim was to
transform languishing lives into productive ones. Now that this
dream has reached fruition, thousands of blind people in more
than 40 countries including the Philippines, Mexico, Peru,
Thailand, Kenya, Ecuador, and Malawi are successfully treated.
More than 600 volunteer ophthalmologists offer their services
each year. Despite the help dispensed to many patients; there
are still some who are not receiving treatment due to the fact
that SEE International can only operate in one location for a
limited period of time.
Often, other problems such as glaucoma, corneal blindness, or
retinal diseases remain untreated due to limited resources.
Because they recognize that their high volume of cases represent
only a tiny fraction of the curable or preventable cases of
blindness in developing countries, SEE International fund a
separate education programme for ophthalmologists in Third World
countries. The Eye Camp programmes team up with a host
ophthalmologist, to provide some training if it is required, and
to help provide equipment, such as microscopes and autoclaves
(used for sterilising surgical instruments). Repeat visits are
made to the same country to maintain the projects' momentum.