Cataract surgery at district hospital level

Int Ophthalmol. 1993 Oct;17(5):265-8. doi: 10.1007/BF01007794.

Abstract

Cataract remains the leading cause of blindness worldwide, curable though, by a simple procedure. The backlog of cataract patients in developing countries is mounting despite sustainable and downright efforts by health ministries, international voluntary and non-governmental organisations [1]. The current situation has put many developing countries in a difficult dilemma. The authors present a review of a pilot-project in decentralised eye-care in Mutasa District, Zimbabwe. Cataract surgery is performed by a district general doctor as an alternative to clearing the cataract back-log in developing countries, as suggested in several studies [2-5]. It is important to persuade the health ministries to adopt this simple and cheap policy [6,7].

MeSH terms

  • Cataract Extraction*
  • Developing Countries
  • Health Services Accessibility
  • Hospitals, District
  • Humans
  • Physicians, Family* / education
  • Pilot Projects
  • Postoperative Complications
  • Visual Acuity
  • Zimbabwe