AFM EYE SCREENING: THE BLIND SEE

Over 1,100 people wrapped around the Evangelical Presbyterian church on the first day of Mercy Ships eye screening.  People compressed together in long line ups with large cataracts, hardened and thick the size of marbles,  crossed eyes and infections all hoping to regain or improve their eye sight. 


After 3 weeks, potential patients continue to pour into the screening, averaging 450-600 people a day.  Approximately 250 people are screened and selected per day by our field eye team, and about 10% of those are scheduled for surgery. Eye screenings are held 4 times a week at three different locations.

The eye field team screen patients that show signs of cataracts, a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye, or in its envelope, and can cause blindness.  Pterygium, a non-cancerous growth of the clear, thin tissue that lays over the white part of the eye.
Mercy Ships estimates that approximately 30,000 potential patients will be screened in the 2010 Togo field service, of which approximately 3,000 will be scheduled for eye surgery. Mercy Ships also provides prostetic eye fittings for those that have had previous eye injuries.



While screenings continue in Lomé community, the Africa Mercy has begun performing eye surgeries aboard the hospital ship.  In the first two weeks, Dr Glenn Strauss, Ophthalmologist, performed 76 cataract and 3 Pterygium surgeries.

Everyday the Africa Mercy eye team serve to bring hope, healing and sight to the forgotten poor of Togo.    The Blind will see!