Ophthalmology Brings Sight to 95

In a white, sterile room, the silence is so great a pin drop could be heard. Scrub nurses wait patiently for the next instruction.  A surgeon is deeply focused on his tiny

incisions; he has done this procedure many times, yet each is different and vital.  His precise work is creating miracles, bringing sight and healing.
Ophthalmologists Dr. Bill Talbot and Dr. Keith Maslin joined YWAM MSA for Outreach 7. The ophthalmology team partnered with Daru General Hospital staff to perform eye surgeries for a long wait list of locals in the Western Province.  Many traveled long distances via dingy to have their eye sight restored.
YWAM Medical Ships Australia (YWAM MSA) has been offering an array of medical care and education across the Gulf and Western Province of Papua New Guinea over the last three years.  While one of the main goals is to see long-term, sustainable results, there is also much joy in seeing immediate results.  Ophthalmology is one area where both immediate and long-term are achieved.
Cataracts have been one of the main issues addressed by the surgeons.  The water and intense sun in this part of the world, combined with inadequate eye protection, leads to a number of ophthalmic conditions in many people of the Western Province. While treatment in countries like Australia would readily available people in Western Province go years without treatment, causing cataracts to progress and lead to severe blindness.
The people of PNG depend upon their sight for their livelihood and even getting to eat daily. Blindness can completely turn their worlds inside out.  Day to day tasks like gardening, making sago, and paddling in their canoes become incredible difficult.

YWAM MSA volunteers find such joy of removing an eye patch the day after surgery and seeing a huge smile stretch across the face of someone who can see when they have not been previously able.  The immediate result of restoring sight, bringing greater quality of life, is unprecedented.
YWAM MSA was honoured to have the skilled ophthalmology team who brought vast experience and expertise.  The surgeons stated that the dense cataracts, minimal equipment, and new environment challenged and stretched their skills. Their steady hands and gift for restoring sight is one that will leave a positive mark on the community of Daru long after they are gone.
The ophthalmology team was able to perform surgeries on 95 patients in 2012.