Cataract surgery restores joy of sight to Lusikisiki elderly

Elderly folk from the Lusikisiki region celebrated regaining their independence after 54 underwent cataract surgery this past weekend.

Ntombizodwa Magubeni, 82, had surgery at the St Elizabeth Hospital on Saturday.

“I am so excited. I couldn’t see because of my cataracts,” Magubeni said.

“I used to sell firewood and fruit to make a living.”

She depended on her grandchildren to help her move around. “I am so grateful for what the department of health is doing for us, especially us senior citizens who are the most vulnerable in our communities.”

More than 1,000 cataract operations have already been done in the province this year.

The weekend of surgery was done in partnership with the SA National Council for the Blind.

During the five-day outreach programme, more than 90 patients were screened for the surgery on Thursday.

A total of 54 were deemed suitable and underwent surgery on Saturday.

Thandiwe Mnambathi, from Nkunzimbini village in Lusikisiki, said she had had no vision at all for three years.

“It is difficult to cook, clean or take care of my vegetables. I had given up on life, because I did not know what to do with myself.

“I cannot wait to read the Bible and prayer book.”

Health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth said officials were grateful to the team of doctors who visited the rural Ngquza Hill municipal area to offer the surgery.

“The partnership we have with the SA National Council for the Blind is reliable, as they travel across the province, ensuring we give people back their sight.”

Meth said it was wonderful to witness the excitement of people who regained their sight.

“We are looking forward to seeing them walking without help of any kind.”

According to WEBMD, cataracts form when protein builds up in the lens of the eye and makes it cloudy, blurring vision and causing partial blindness.

Symptoms include blurred vision, nearsightedness, problems with glare from sunshine or headlights, double vision and glasses or contact lenses not working as well as they used to.

Surgery is the only treatment that can fix cataracts.

Prescription glasses may help in the early stages though.