Sasanto, age 55, after recovering from bilateral cataract surgery in February 2012.
People from Makeni and surrounding areas come to Africa Surgery with eye problems, lamenting poor vision, foreign objects, growths, or infections. They are transported to the Baptist Eye Hospital in Lunsar, for assessment and treatment. This hospital also has a mobile clinic, for screening in towns and villages. In the majority of cases, medical treatment is sufficient, with no need for surgery.
Infections are particularly frequent. If not medically treated, they often ulcerate and lead to blindness.
When surgery is needed, treatment costs in Sierra Leone are very low. Cataracts can be removed for about $80 per eye. Charges are similar for Pterygium, a membrane that frequently invades the cornea in people living near the Equator. This low price allows Africa Surgery to finance this type of eye surgery for a large number of needy individuals.
Sidu, age 60. His eyesight was preserved via bilateral Pterygium surgery in February 2012.
Every year Africa Surgery collects used prescription eye glasses and sunglasses from a few eye care professionals around New Jersey and donates them to the Baptist Eye Hospital, which dispenses them to people who could not otherwise afford lens correction.