Report of Free Eye Screening Camp During World Sight Day Event 2023

Background

GAF EYE HEALTH FOUNDATION is a registered community based organization (NAM 1022) non-political and liberal organisation operating within Namisindwa district Uganda Africa.

Mission

To dispel all preventable and treatable blinding eye diseases among the underserved community through equitable access to eye health services.

Vision

High quality life through providing self-sustaining inclusive community eye healthcare services nearer to underserved communities in Elgon region.

World Sight Day 2023

World Sight Day observed annually on the second Thursday of October, was celebrated on October 12 this year. It is a global event meant to draw attention to blindness and vision impairment.

‘LOVE YOUR EYES AT WORK’ has been the theme of this year’s World Sight Day. “This World Sight Day, our focus is on helping people understand the importance of protecting their vision in the workplace and calling on business leaders to priorities the eye health of workers, everywhere.

This year’s World Sight Day campaign is aimed at encouraging employers to make eye health initiatives, standard practice and promote eye health habits that will benefit the well-being, safety and productivity of millions of employees.

This was a free eye screening camp held at Buwesa 2, a village in Namisindwa district (Magale playground) conducted by Gaf Eye Health Foundation in partnership with Eye Health Africa, YouTube Community (Gaf Medical Videos) and World Council of Optometry.

Arrangements for the camp were finalized in consultation with the District Administration.

Services Provided

• Eye health education
• Refraction and dispensing glasses
• Eye examination and treatment of eye diseases
• Referral of complicated and surgical conditions

Details of Camp Activities

Mobilization

This was achieved by means of TV broadcasts on East TV, a local television network in the eastern area, radio announcements on Elgon FM, A successful mobilization was made possible by house visits by the village health teams (VHTS) and posters put up in conspicuous locations throughout the district’s communities.

Resources

We bought banners to put up at the screening location.

We bought brightly colored overcoats to make it easier to identify volunteers assisting with site screening.

Due to a change in the weather, we were able to continue with the screening even though it was cloudy because we had rented two tents to provide shade for those who attended.

We bought a referral book to assist with keeping track of and following up with patients of interest. 

We also bought reading glasses and medication to provide to people who are screened and who require them.

Human Resources

There were a total of 15 persons involved, comprising 3 volunteer ophthalmic clinical officers, 1 ophthalmic nurse, 1 comprehensive nurse, 1 medical clinical officer, VHTS, and data clerks.

Patients were examined by ophthalmic clinical officers for the eye complaints that they had

Patients with general illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension were better managed, thanks to the medical clinical officer. 

Before referring patients to physicians for examination, the ophthalmic nurse helped them achieve adequate visual acuity.

We received assistance from the comprehensive nurse in giving the patients their medication, checking blood sugar, nutritional assessment and blood pressure.

Patient records were captured and mobilized with the assistance of data clerks and VHTS, respectively including community mobilisation.

Every individual listed above performed the task as volunteers and received a modest reimbursement for their transportation to and from their homes.

Achievements

• We successfully held the camp.
• Patients got medicines and glasses freely
• We were able to recover sight for two patients by sponsoring 2 cataract surgeries.
• The details of the patient seen, provided with medicines, glasses and those operated are as under:-

Systemic diseases affecting the eye

Overall Findings

• Patients Examined: Total 252 patients who were registered at registration desk were examined for eye diseases.
• Surgeries: A total of 17 patients were diagnosed for cataracts that were referred however due to limited resources we only followed up 2 patients whom we sponsored the surgery i.e. 1 adult cataract and 1 child who had congenital cataract.
• Medicines: Total 203 patients were prescribed medicines which were provided in separate room.
• Glasses: Glasses were given to all patients after being properly refracted by eye health worker

Challenges

• Bad weather interrupted the follow in of the patients as it rained the full day.
• Transport challenges for mobilisation team as we were overcharged to hire a motorcycle
• Limited funds because many people required surgical interventions, particularly children with congenital cataracts and adults with cataracts.
• We were unable to provide anti-glaucoma drugs to those who had been diagnosed with glaucoma because these were not budgeted for.
• Cultural and religious beliefs and misconceptions about eye health.

Recommendations

• Purchasing land and building offices of the organisation to shelter the team from weather changes during such important activities.
• Purchasing a motorcycle to support on transport during activities in the localities.
• Advocating for World Sight Day activities for at least a full week to cater for many patients.
• More screening services are needed because so many people require care.
• Continuous health education to do away the myths and perception of the community.
• Work on more collaborations with other organisations for the support towards surgeries.
• Include some anti-glaucoma drugs in the budget.
• Follow up with patients who benefited from the screening, such as those who purchased spectacles.
• Every year, advocate for World Sight Day activities.

Conclusion

Great thanks goes to all our dear partners and friends for the kind support towards underserved marginalised communities.

Compiled by

WEKWANYA AMBROSE

CEO/FOUNDER

GAF EYE HEALTH FOUNDATION

+256 787 999 781

Photographs