Day 3

An eye examination for a primary school child in Bangladesh

Cataracts

and how to deal with it

Zahidul can see again! Zahidul was three years old when his father discovered a white spot in his eyes. The village healer demanded two months' wages for the "treatment". The result: the spot remained and the boy's whole body swelled up. A professional and quick examination by an ophthalmologist revealed that Zahidul had "cataracts" in both eyes. The clouded lenses were successfully removed at the eye clinic in Chittagong. Zahidul is a happy, bright child and a good student. What would have become of him if he had not been examined and operated on? An early examination, especially in children, is particularly important to prevent further blindness.

need

Ophthalmological treatment for children in Bangladesh

activity

Primary school children are examined for eye diseases

Measurable effort

Number of vision tests performed

Result

Number of children in whom eye disease was diagnosed and prevented thanks to the vision test.

Systemic effect

New cases of blindness in Bangladesh are prevented

background

According to current estimates, there are over 800,000 blind people living in Bangladesh. Children from the poorest sections of the population are particularly affected by blindness. Every year, many thousands of people go blind. Causes of blindness include malnutrition and poor nutrition, especially vitamin A deficiency, a lack of treatment options, and a lack of hygiene and education.
But cataracts are not a problem that cannot be managed - if they are detected early enough. Education on how to avoid eye diseases is also particularly important. The aid organization runs nine eye clinics nationwide.

The good deed

A nationwide program is used to carry out vision tests on primary school children. An eye test can prevent a child from going blind. The current "new generation" vision testing programs offered by the aid organization go a step further than their predecessors. Students who are recommended to wear glasses can even get them on the spot.