People Eye Care Foundation
Background
In 1987 Dr Somsaran Watanachote operated successfully on a retinal detachment in the right eye of General Kavee Kompeerayan who was so highly delighted with his restored vision that he and his close friends Mr Sintu Sornsongkorn and Her Highness Tasanavali Sornsongkorn donated 305,500 baht to buy Dr Somsran a cryomachne and so were sown the seeds of the present Foundation now based at the Bangkok Hospital via the Rajawithi Eye Foundation.
Cataracts are caused by an opaque lens which induces blindness mainly in elderly people and particularly in developing countries. In Thailand where there are 200,000 blind persons as a result of cataracts. A study by ORBIS at Thammasat University has researched the best method for carrying out cataract surgery. The Foundation has a programme tom provide cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation to poor people throughout Thailand. It costs 1,800 baht for a pair of lens and a further 5,000 baht for the costs of the operation. Numerous people have already been treated by the Foundation which was recognized as a Public Charity No. 279 by the Ministry of Finance.
A typical People Eye Care Foundation Eye Mission to a rural community hospital in Thailand
The People Eye Care Foundation (P.E.C.F.) of Thailand organizes trips to rural community hospitals each month which they call Eye Missions. A team of volunteers consisting typically of 2 - 3 ophthalmologist surgeons, 6 – 10 nurses and auxiliary support staff, and several non-medical helpers gather on a Saturday lunch time to travel by coach to the selected community hospital to carry out an Eye Mission on anywhere between 100 – 150 patients blinded by cataract. When the team arrives at its destination, which is usually late evening, the coach has to be unpacked. Operating theatres in remote rural community hospitals have basic equipment and provisions so all specialized equipment, such as, powerful and heavy microscopes, dressings, operating equipment, boxes of optical lens etc., needed to carry out the cataract operations has to be taken in the coach from Bangkok each time the team travels anywhere. Everyone in the team helps with loading and unloading – even the petite Dr Somsran who is a source of constant energy on each trip, can be seen bouncing along with boxes in hand. As demand for the operation is so high it is usually impossible for the team to operate on everyone who turns up but can usually complete between 100 – 150 operations over the two day period..
Dr Somsran screening a patients eyes to determine the condition of the cataract and extent of sight impairment.
Each of the selected patients is given a number and the eye and type of operation is written on a label to ensure selected for the operation then wait patiently for their turn. Each operation takes around 45 minutes from start to finish. Before the operation the patient’s eye has to be prepared. Many of the patients are blind in one or both eyes and have to be helped as they move around.
Patient being helped onto the bed for bed in the pre-op room.
The nurse then prepares the patient’s eye by injecting anesthetic and inserting drops. The numbing process and immobilization of the eye often needs several injections before it is effective. In between injections a balance in rested onto of the eye to ensure that the eye pressure is maintained and the anesthetic fluid disperses around the eye socket.
Nurse prepares patient’s eye by inserting antibiotic drops and pupil dilating drops.
Nurse injects anesthetic to numb and immobilize the eye.
Patient with balance resting on eye.
Volunteer Angela Stafford of Lotus Design and Publishing helping volunteer nurse Khun Sitisom in the pre-op room.
When the patient’s eye is ready and the next operating bed is available the patient is taken into the operating room for cataract removal.
Dr Somsran operates on cataract patient.
Angela Stafford watches as Dr Witchai removes a cataract.
After the last patient has been operated on, usually late on Sunday night, the team has to clear and clean the operating room and then sterilize and pack up all the operating equipment. Despite being tired there are always smiles, a sense of achievement and a great team spirit.
Team taking a short break during the cleaning up process.
Two of the cataract patients – as can be seen by these pictures not all people who suffer from cataracts are old.
The dust and sun from working long hours in the fields in rural areas of Thailand can cause the early development of serious cataracts.
During the morning of the last day of the eye mission trip all eyes are examined and inspected and fresh dressing applied. Each patient has their new sight range measured and afterwards a short ceremony takes place allowing the patients to say a heartfelt thank you to the doctors and nurses who have restored their eye sight. It is a very moving occasion for any volunteer to witness.
Patient's new vision is tested.
Patient's waiting for dressing to be changed and eye vision to be tested.
Patient's say thank you to the doctors, nurses and volunteers - a very moving occasion.
Make a donation to the People Eye Care Foundation (P.E.C.F.)
The work of the PECF is entirely funded by donations from individuals, companies and associations. If you would to like to make a donation this can be done through the Lotus Design and Publishing website by clicking the donate button.The money will be forwarded to the PECF who will issue a receipt — this will be sent to you by email.