This is my response to the Ragtag Daily Prompt of 15 June 2018 —  Cataract.

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The first thing that came to my mind when I saw today’s prompt – cataract – was the Fred Hollows Foundation.  Before his death, Australian Ophthalmologist, Fred Hollows, set up a Foundation to continue his work to restore the sight of indigenous Australians and less fortunate people in developing countries, who suffer from eye disease (such as cataracts, trachoma and diabetic retinopathy).  These eye diseases are completely avoidable but without treatment, they will lead to blindness.    

Fred Hollows said:

“I believe the basic attribute of mankind is to look
after each other, and that’s what makes humans
look after other humans when they are in need.”

Four out of five people who are blind suffer from avoidable blindness.  The majority of people with avoidable blindness live in extreme poverty in the developing world.  It should be noted that Australia is the only developed country where trachoma is endemic in its indigenous population.  Restoring sight has the potential to reduce poverty because children can go to school, and adults can work to sustain their family.  Avoidable blindness is a gender issue as it affects more women than men.  Two-thirds of those suffering from avoidable blindness are women and girls.

The Fred Hollows Foundation accepts Australian and international donations.  Donations are used to support sight-saving work, which includes eye operations and treatments, training surgeons and eye health workers, and other sustainable eye health.  For information on the Foundation and how to make donations click here.

I am grateful to live in a developed country with access to sight-saving medical treatment.  I suffered from diabetic retinopathy in my 20s, and I had cataract surgery on both eyes in my 30’s.  Without the treatment I received, I would not be able to see now.

Kind Regards,
Tracy.

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21 thoughts on “Help Restore Sight”

  1. Excellent and inspiring, Tracy–and glad your sight has been restored.
    Ironically, it was only after scheduling this post, that I realized that today is the day that I go with my partner to her opthalmologist for a followup visit. A minor, but annoying complication of her cataract surgery.

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Thanks Steph.

      I hope your partner’s complication can be sorted,

      If I could change one thing about my cataract surgery, it would be to have lenses with the same focus, ie. for driving. The focus in one is a little shorter than the other. In other words, the ophthalmologist gave me an astigmatism (without consulting me first). It’s very annoying.

      Liked by 1 person

      3. Back already with an all clear. Now to taper off the drops. Not matching eyes would drive me bats–sounds very frustrating, and particularly without consulting you–grrrr.

        Liked by 1 person

  2. I had cataract surgery and Toric lens implant 2 years ago. I could see nothing out of my right eye and had about 20 percent vision in my left. It changed my whole life.

    Liked by 1 person

  3. I’m facing cataract removal in the future–maybe a year or two–and I, too, am thankful to live in a country that offers such surgery. Your post has made me even more thankful for the gift of vision.

    Liked by 1 person

  5. He was a very special person. I know someone who used to work for his foundation and she told me that every time his ad is shown on TV donations come flooding in, which is a very encouraging thing to hear.

    Liked by 2 people

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