Restoring eyesight through three-day eye camp in Wangdue Phodrang

Watching people share tears of joy after being able to see is a magical moment. And that is something one gets to experience in every eye camp. The three-day eye camp that began yesterday in Wangdue Phodrang was one such camp. Dr Sanduk Ruit, an ophthalmologist, popularly known as the God of Sight, along with his team from Nepal are carrying out cataract surgery in the district.

Taking about 10 to 20 minutes, Dr Sanduk makes a tiny cut in the patient’s eyes, pulls out the cataract and then inserts a new lens in the eye.

He operated on about 24 patients yesterday. After being able to see properly following the operation, the patients expressed their happiness.

“I am extremely happy for having got this opportunity to treat my eye problem. I am 80 years old now and now I wish to stay longer after this surgery. Where would I have gone for the treatment if not for this medical team? I am thankful for the surgery, otherwise, I would have gone blind,” said Maita Maya Chhetri.

“We have to go outside for such eye treatment and surgery. For rich people, it is not an issue, but for people like us who cannot afford to go outside for treatment, it’s a huge problem. But we are lucky that we got the treatment here itself,” said Rinzin Dendup.

“While opening my eyes today morning after the surgery, I could see everything clearly and better. I had a lot of problems earlier due to my eye problem. It was difficult for me to drive. But I am happy as I could get rid of my cataract,” said Kinley Dorji.

More than 150 people will undergo cataract surgery in Wangdue Phodrang Hospital during the three-day camp.

A cataract is a dense, cloudy area that forms in the lens of the eyes that can interfere with normal vision. It requires a simple surgery to replace the natural lens.

“Cataracts also can be caused by diabetics and even drugs can cause long-term use of steroids. This disease is risky if it is kept very long, and very mature and then it can turn into a lead high pressure, it can burst and it can become incurable. But over and all, it is very treatable,” said Dr Sanduk Ruit.

As per the health ministry, nearly 2,500 new cases of cataracts are reported every year. And there are more than 13,000 people who still need to undergo cataract surgery in the country.

“With the blessings of the Royal Grandmother, hopefully, in Bhutan we will be able to do an addition of thousands of surgeries every year for the next five years. And also hope to train more doctors and see how we can help furthermore. We took Bhutan as one of our first international endorsements,” added Dr Sanduk.

Dr Sanduk Ruit has been instrumental in developing Bhutan’s primary eye care through financial and human resources. The financial support amounts to 100,000 USD annually. His contribution includes biennial visits to Bhutan to perform eye operative camps.

He is also a recipient of the National Order of Merit, Gold, from His Majesty The King. He was awarded in 2015 in recognition of his services to restore the sight of hundreds of Bhutanese.

The eye camp in Wangdue Phodrang is organised by the health ministry under the Royal Patronage of Her Majesty the Royal Grandmother Kesang Choden Wangchuck.

A similar cataract eye camp will be conducted in Thimphu after the completion of the three-day program in Wangdue Phodrang.

Changa Dorji, Wangdue Phodrang