South African Hospitals Conduct Marathon Eye Surgeries to Restore Sight
In South Africa, a series of marathon cataract surgeries were conducted at two hospitals, restoring sight to 133 individuals. These surgeries were part of a public-private partnership initiative aimed at reducing the backlog of cataract operations in the country. Patients in South Africa's public health system often face long waiting times for cataract surgery, with some waiting since 2019. Cataracts, a common age-related condition, cause the eye's lens to become clouded, leading to curable blindness. The surgeries involved replacing the clouded lens with an artificial one, significantly improving the quality of life for patients like 84-year-old Gladys Khoza, who can now see her family and enjoy activities like reading and watching television.