Hot off the back of our highly successful eye camp in Baruwa Village, Sindhupulchok our 8 cataract patients, Pasang and Community Medical Assistant, Rabina packed themselves into a jeep for the long, bumpy journey to Kathmandu.
With a probable average age for our patients somewhere in the mid 70s, for most of them it was their very first time not only in a vehicle, but in Kathmandu and they were filled with a mix of anxiety about their eye operation, excitement at finally being able to see the capital city and for some, a nasty dose of travel sickness! Upon arrival at Teaching Hospital’s BP Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies it was wonderful to see family members waiting to greet and spend time with their relatives.
Thanks to the pre organisation of our two camp optometrists, Drs Sanjeeb and Gauri Shankar it was straight down to business for our patients as they were all sent off to produce a urine sample (in the smallest pot you’ve ever seen!) as the first of several pre tests, to ensure they were all fit for the operation.
Once it was known that their sugar levels were OK, their eyes were examined once again for a more thorough pre op assessment.
Examinations over and all given the green light to have their cataracts done, it was off to the canteen for a spot of lunch, given that breakfast had been very early and they were all hungry.
Early on Tuesday morning they all went down for surgery. They were finished by late morning and spent the rest of the day relaxing and recovering from their ordeal, and for those with relatives in town, catching up on family business.
Towards the end of the working day, they all filed downstairs to have their eye patches removed.
Their eyes were checked one final time, eye drops and care instructions given out and last but not least, the distribution of a smart pair of sunglasses to protect their tender eyes from the sun, dust and pollution.
Despite the solemn faces (it’s nigh on impossible to get Nepalis to smile for what they deem a formal photo) they were all thrilled with the results, and although a little blurry (it should clear over a couple of days) to be able to see once more through their cataract affected eyes.
A Himalayan thank you to Teaching Hospital’s BP Koirala Lions Centre for Ophthalmic Studies for their amazing care and for giving us a highly subsidised rate for the operations. Again to Dr Sanjeeb Mishra and Dr Gauri Shanker Shrestha for all their help and support both at the camp and for the operations. To Pasang and Rabina for taking the time to bring everyone to Kathmandu and looking after them so well. Our wonderful patients for being so amenable and jolly during the whole process and last, but not least, our donors from around the globe. Without them none of this would be possible.
