The Cataract Marathon that will be held in November, brings new hope and will give patients the chance to see again.

The Department of Health Fezile Dabi District in collaboration with Bureau of Blindness will be having a cataract Marathon on 22 – 24 November 2024.

Patients on the waiting list has been contacted from all over the district in order to have the eye procedure performed. The operation will be conducted at Parys District Hospital by the Ophthalmologist specialists from National Hospital.

Eye screenings will be done on the 30 October at Parys District Hospital for patients that are confirmed to have cataracts. Those with eye problems are more than welcome to come and note that a new list will be made for the next marathon.

Mrs. NS Malinga, CEO -Parys District Hospital, says the department is excited for this marathon.

A Cataract Marathon took place at the Parys District Hospital last year on May 19th. A total of 120 patients from Parys, Vredefort, Koppies, Heilbron, Viljoenskroon, Sasolburg and Kroonstad, who were on the waiting list at the Eye Clinic at Boitumelo Regional Hospital, were screened – 60 of whom were prioritised for surgery.

Over that weekend, 57 cataract removals and lens replacements were done. Seven patients had to be referred for continuous monitoring.