Treatments
23 million people, of whom 3 million are children suffer with blindness and visual impairment in Pakistan.
Sight problems and treatments
Most eye and vision problems develop gradually and are treatable, however there are some conditions that can cause irreversible sight loss. Below we have demonstrated how normal sight is distorted with various eye conditions. As with most medical issues, timely treatment is vital.
Cataracts
Cataracts develop when the clear lens in our eyes become cloudy and everything we see looks blurry.
Most people only seek treatment when their vision starts to cause difficulties in their everyday life. Untreated, it can lead to blindness and is the most common cause of blindness in Pakistan.
Adult Cataract Treatment
Ageing in adults is the most common cause of cataracts and treatment involves surgical removal of the cloudy lens under local anaesthetic.
The lens is replaced with an intraocular lens (IOL), an artificial lens that permanently stays in your eye. At LRBT, cataract surgery is the most frequently performed procedure. Most patients require day surgery and return to the hospital the following day to have their bandage removed and sight assessed and return to work within a few days.
£100 funds 3 adult surgeries
Children’s Cataract Treatment
Children typically develop cataracts as a result of injury or congenital disease.
Childrens surgery is performed at our specialist paediatric units under general anaesthetic, which means they are unconscious during the operation. Children stay at the hospital overnight to monitor their recovery. Sometimes diseased lenses are removed and vision managed with glasses and lenses inserted once they reach adulthood.
£120 funds 2 children’s surgeries
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is increased high pressure in the eye caused by abnormal fluid build-up.
In adults, it is often called the silent killer because it is asymptomatic in the early stages, it can damage the optic nerve and result in sight loss which cannot be reversed.
Adult Glaucoma Treatment
Eye drops, laser treatment and surgery provide different methods to halt and manage the condition. Treatment will depend on the circumstances and level of damage but cannot reverse loss of vision that has already occurred. Early detection is vital, but regular eyesight checks are not affordable for most underprivileged Pakistanis.
£180 funds 3 treatments
Child Glaucoma Treatment
Glaucoma in children has obvious physical symptoms such as painful bulging, weeping eyes but is often misdiagnosed and confused with corneal disease. It is caused by congenital issues or trauma to the eye. When it is correctly diagnosed, timely treatment with laser and eye drops can help to control eye pressure and save sight.
£180 funds 3 treatments
Diabetic Retinopathy
People with diabetes are at greater risk of developing small blood leaks (microaneurysms) in the back of the eye. Persistent high sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels and lead to eventual sight loss. There are 33 million people living with type 2 diabetes in Pakistan of whom almost 9 million remain undiagnosed.
Adult Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
Treatment depends on how much damage has been caused and Laser treatment is commonly used to treat blood vessels in the back of the eye. Steroid injections and implants may also be used and in some cases surgery to remove scar tissue and fluid.
£104 funds 4 treatments
Child Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
Children’s diabetes is usually managed by insulin injections but the risks for sight loss are still high. In Pakistan one of the biggest challenges is coordinating care so that doctors who treat diabetes recognise that patients should also be under the care of an ophthalmologist who can regularly monitor eye health.
£100 funds 1 treatment
Retina Detachment
Retina is a layer of light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye which can detach following trauma or an underlying congenital issue. Retinal detachment deprives the eye of oxygen and can lead to permanent sight loss if it is not treated promptly. Generally, symptoms include blurred vision or dark spots and a sore red eye.
Adult Retina Reattachment
Emergency surgery is required to reattach the retina and repair the tear. Time is of the essence as delay can deprive the eye of oxygen and vital nutrients, leading to permanent sight loss.
£400 funds 2 treatments
Child Retina Reattachment
Children’s retinal surgery similar to an adults requires urgent treatment and is performed under general anaesthetic. The child’s head must be angled so that excessive pressure is not put on the retina to detach it again.
£260 funds 1 treatment
Cornea Transplant
The cornea is a clear outer layer of tissue in front of the eye that helps focus light onto the retina at the back of the eye. Corneas can become damaged due to congenital disease, infection or trauma.
Adult Cornea Transplant
Some corneal disease develops in adults in later life and transplantation is required to alleviate the symptoms. At LRBT, corneas are acquired from the USA, where organ quality can be guaranteed. This in turn means lower organ rejection.
£530 funds 1 transplant
Child Cornea Transplant
Correct and timely diagnosis of corneal disease or congenital defects in children are crucial for full development of sight. Untreated, eventually both eyes can be compromised, which in turn affects the development of the retina, leading to blindness.
Children’s cornea transplants are performed at specialist paediatric units.
£530 funds 1 transplant
Squint
Squint is when the muscles that control movement of the eye are too tight or too loose and cause the eye to turn inwards, outwards, upwards or downwards, while the other eye looks straight ahead.
Adult Squint Correction
Squints can develop in adults due to neurological or circulatory problems such as mini strokes, diabetes or hypertension. Surgery to realign the eye muscles is required to correct vision.
£150 funds 2 treatments
Child Squint Correction
Critical to treating children is the pre-assessment stage when doctors must accurately evaluate how much muscle should be cut or released for correct movement. Again surgery is the means to re-align the eyes.
£160 funds 2 treatments
