Free surgery for diabetic patients with eye complications

Eye specialist founder and chairman of Eyes for Africa Dr Solomon Guramatunhu said more than the targeted patients have booked for examinations.
“This is the first day of our operations and 36 eye patients have so far registered. We had targeted at examining 20 patients per day. Now that people are becoming more aware of this operation, we will examine around 50 patients per day,” he said.

Dr Guramatunhu said four to five diabetes eye operations would be undertaken per day.
He urged people who do not suffer from diabetes to also visit eye specialists for earlier diagnosis.
“After diagnosis the person should visit the eye specialist at least once a year. But those who already have eye complications should frequently visit eye specialists,” he said.

Dr Kimball Woodward, a famous vitreo-retinal surgeon and diabetes eye specialist, said though diabetic eye complications affect the body, the damages can be prevented by early diagnosis.

“Diabetes causes body damages such as blindness, kidney failure, heart attack and stroke. If a person is examined earlier then the effects can be prevented,” he said.

Blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol should be kept low and smoking should be avoided to control the disease.
Eyes for Africa and Surgical Eye Expeditions International organised the surgery.