An optometrist from Springbok, Northern Cape, has volunteered to assist those with cataracts and other eye disorders in Namaqualand, where there are no government specialists.
The province’s cataract surgery backlog is enormous. People wait in a long line when a professional visits their location.
Two years ago, Lorraine Damon went blind. A cataract caused her blindness. The issue could be resolved with a simple operation. The waiting list, however, is overwhelming for individuals who cannot afford private treatment.
“It was so wonderful when they took the bandage off. You don’t see anything for two years, and then you see again. You see everything. Things you didn’t pay attention to in the past… it’s all in the little details,” says Damon.
Her experience is not uncommon. Hundreds of other individuals in the province are affected by this treatable blindness. Thomas Van Neel was transferred from the pillory to the post after his diagnosis.
“I was told they don’t send people to the Kimberley anymore because the list is too long and they can’t send me to Cape Town because I’m from the Northern Cape,” Van Niel says.
Although the surgery is offered in the private sector, many individuals cannot afford the 50,000 rand price tag. Tarien Schoeman, an ophthalmologist, recognised a need and felt obligated to assist. She assists the elderly with her own strength.
“Unfortunately, the waiting list for cataract surgery in the Kimberley is very long. So I felt like I couldn’t ignore the problem, I couldn’t send people away and not help them at all. And that’s why I decided to found a public organization that cares about vision. The main goal is to raise funds for cataract surgery in Namaqualand,” says Schoeman.
In the first six months, they have successfully operated on 16 patients. However, the need is really high.
“We have about 250 people on our waiting list, so we would like to help patients, but we need funding to do that,” explains Schoeman.
They hope to restore sight to several Namaqualand residents if they can get the needed funds.