150 benefit from Rotary Club of Palmgrove Estate free eye screening

ROTARY Club of Lagos Palmgrove Estate has commenced its free eye screening in preparation for free eye surgery with about 150 patients benefitting so far from the exercise.

Speaking at the occasion, Past President Mukesh Bhatt said the club, knowing the importance of sight and because a lot of people infected with cataract are not able to solve the problem due to the high cost or lack of where to get the problem solved, has again rolled out its annual programme to carry out free eye surgery to 1,500 poor and under privileged Nigerians.

He disclosed that 50 percent of patients who came for eye screening were found to be having cataract, which calls for caution and the need for Nigerians to take care of their eyes.

“Previous statistics put the percentage of beneficiaries who came for screening at only 15 percent as opposed to the current figure, which signifies that more people are getting infected.

“Blindness is still preventable at the level of cataract and because the cost of its operation at private hospitals would go for about N200,000, which many of those that are infected cannot afford, victims are to take advantage of this unique opportunity to have their eyes operated at for free.

“Rotary Eye Institute, India is partnering with the Rotary Club of Lagos Palmgrove Estate to screen patients with infections of cataract, glaucoma and pterygium and eventually carry out surgeries for cataract victims at General Hospitals in Lagos and Abeokuta, with beneficiaries also provided with a kit, drugs and black goggles after operation.

Initial screenings has commenced on April 18 and will continue on April 25, May 1, 2, 9 and 16 at the club’s premises: 1, D’Alberto Road, Palmgrove Estate, Ilupeju, Lagos.

Operation commences at General Hospital in Lagos on May 25 through 31, 2015 while that of General Hospital, Abeokuta would take place between June 1 and 7, 2015.