Cataract Chronicles-25 years
As I celebrate my 25th year volunteering as an eye surgeon in Southeast Asia. I am delighted to share photos and stories about the vision challenges and the people and cultures of India, Nepal, Cambodia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Vietnam. - Dr. Gary Barth
Chronicle 22 - Poor countries with Weak Currencies Lack access to Excellent Medical Equipment
Cambodia has the most treacherous landmine problem in the world. Four million landmines have been dug up since the Khmer Rouge was defeated in 1979 and four million are believed to be still in the ground.
When I volunteered there, I saw so many blinded eyes.
The lack of access to suitable medical equipment makes the problem needlessly more complicated.
This enormously friendly teenage girl exemplifies how better government policies would improve her care.
She wanted to look normal and attractive, hoping to get a job with a foreign company.
However, she could not be fitted with an acrylic cosmetic prosthesis. The size of her ocular socket was normal for a teenager but too small for the “fitting set” available from the government’s trading partner, China.
A full set of sizes, including smaller options was available at a good price from an Indian charity hospital. Yet, an Indian cosmetic prosthesis could not be purchased.
