I’ve recently gone to the optometrist and been given prescription glasses. I find it difficult to read my iPhone. Now they issued some glasses I feel better. But it served as a reminder of my age, and how distressing it is to loose sight. Being a mum of three young children, loosing sight would be disastrous. I suddenly felt more compassion on those that had sight problems.
It reminded me of the hardship some people face, especially in places when medical care is sparce. And so I looked to the Fred Hollows foundation, and the good work they do. Fred Hollows was an ophthalmologist that started a charity wanting to improve the care of those that are poor, especially indigenous Australians and Torre Straight Islanders.
The figures from the Foundation are confronting. An estimated 36 million people are blind around the world. A further 191 million are visually impaired and 90% of people who are blind live in developing countries.
Tracheoma is one cause of blindness, it can be prevented by access to clean water and improved sanitation. If caught early antibiotics can be given. Later on in the disease surgery is necessary. In 1996, the World health Organisation launched the WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020. As of 19 March 2024, 18 countries had been validated as having eliminated trachoma as a public health problem. Although this is a success the disease still remains a serious public health concern.
Semira, a lady from rural Ethiopia lives with little access to healthcare. She had an eye infection, and was unable to look after her young family. Thankfully she was not left. A community health worked referred her to The Fred Hollows foundation and local partners where she received the appropriate treatment. Once her sight was restored she was thrilled to see her children’s faces.
“I feel like a curse has been lifted,” Semira said. “Now, I can take care of my children, I can work again, and I feel hope for the future.
Praise God that Semira was treated, and not left alone. The WHO recommends SAFE strategy: Surgery if necessary, Antibiotics, Facial cleanliness, Environmental improvement, access to water and sanitation.
I’ve decided to get a record out and play my girls ‘Isn’t she lovely’ by Stevie Wonder.
SydneySettler 