Free cataract surgery camp begins

By Meena Kandel

Kawasoti, Nov. 11: A free cataract surgery camp has been organised at Kawasoti in East Nawalparasi.

A free eye check-up camp has been organised at the ward level so that the eye patients do not have to go away for treatment. 

Surgeries of eye patients from different parts of the district were also conducted on Sunday. Bharat Pokharel, Founder president of the Rotary Club, said that around 160 cataract patients identified during free eye heck-ups would undergo surgeries free of cost and get medicines and glasses.  

On the first day of camp on Sunday, the eyes of around 200 people were examined. Around 500 people are likely to undergo eye examinations in the three-day camp. The exact number of patients who need surgery will not be confirmed today, he said. 

Khum Bahadur Magar of Madhyabindu Municipality-15, after undergoing a cataract surgery, said “There was a problem as I was unable to see. Now after an operation, I can see and work. I am very happy after I gained my eyesight.”

Pradeep Bhattarai, an officer at the Centre for Cataract Eye Treatment, said that the surgery is the only treatment for cataract disease. The number of cataract patients has increased in rural areas due to the reluctance of the general public to undergo eye check-ups.

Each year, Rotary Club Kawasoti has been conducting cataract surgeries free of cost. Keshab Bhattarai, President of the Rotary Club, said that the club conducted around 400 cataract surgeries last year. 

Bhattarai said that they were working to reduce the number of cataract patients to zero in Nawalpur within five years. Rotary Club Kawasoti said that it made 1,100 cataract patients gain their eyesight over the years.