Ophthalmology at CSC
An estimated 100,000 Cambodians are fully or partially blind, principally due to cataracts, pterygiums, glaucoma and land-mine injuries; most of which conditions are fully or partially curable by relatively simple surgical techniques.
Simple, cost-sustainable, low risk surgical procedures were pioneered in developing countries for eye surgery and around 3,500 eye operations are performed at CSC each year, either to restore, or to prevent further deterioration of, eyesight.
In a typical cataract operation an operating microscope is used to allow the ophthalmic surgeon to remove the diseased, opaque 'crystalloid' lens and replace it with a plastic, light focusing implant. The surgery requires only one suture and the patient may return home after as little as one night's stay in the center.
Local anaesthetia only is necessary, and the procedure can cost as little as $15 (lens $6.50, Suture $4, Medications, drugs and dressings $4.50) for materials imported from other developing countries.