Free Eye Surgery Restores Woman’s Independence in Lakes State

By Anak Dut Malual

Elizabeth Aluel Dut says a free eye surgery campaign has transformed her life, restoring her independence after she regained sight in her left eye last year. Now back at Rumbek State Hospital for treatment of her second eye, she hopes to improve her vision further and regain more of the independence she lost.

Aluel said her eyesight deteriorated while she was making locally brewed alcohol and sewing bedsheets by hand to earn a living. She believes her eye problems developed after repeated exposure to fumes from the alcohol-making process.

As her vision worsened, even routine household activities became difficult. She struggled to move around the house and prepare meals for her younger children, particularly when her older children had gone to school and she was left at home caring for the younger ones.

“When my eyes stopped seeing, it was difficult for me. When my elder children went to school and I was left at home with the younger ones, moving to the kitchen to cook for them was very difficult because I could not see and always needed support to move,” she said.

Aluel said she was not born blind but developed the condition later in life. After learning about a free eye surgery campaign last year, she visited the hospital and was among those who received treatment.

She said the operation on her left eye was successful, allowing her to see again and resume activities she had previously struggled to perform without assistance.

“The things that I never used to do, I can now do because I can see with one eye. Today, I am back again for the second eye to be operated on,” she said.

Aluel said doctors had examined her second eye and informed her that she would undergo surgery. She expressed gratitude for the free treatment and hope that the next operation would further improve her vision and enable her to continue managing her daily activities.

Her experience comes as Rumbek State Hospital launches a new 10-day eye surgery campaign offering free screening, cataract operations and other eye care services to residents of Lakes State.

The campaign, which began on October 28 and is scheduled to run until November 8, aims to reach more than 400 patients, according to health officials involved in the initiative.

Dr. Hellen Atti Vuni, a cataract surgeon at Juba Teaching Hospital from the National Ministry of Health and team leader of the medical mission, said the team would focus primarily on cataract surgery and other minor procedures.

“We came for cataract surgery and other minor operations, excluding surgery for glaucoma and conditions affecting the retina,” she said.

She urged residents experiencing eye problems to visit the hospital for screening, explaining that surgery is not suitable for every eye condition and that patients must first be examined to determine whether they qualify for treatment.

Vuni explained that glaucoma damages the optic nerve and that damage already caused by the condition cannot be reversed through the treatments being offered by the team.

She also encouraged residents to share information about the campaign with people in nearby communities who may need eye care services.

Following surgery, patients receive medication and instructions on how to protect their eyes during recovery. The medical team advises them to avoid alcohol and smoking, limit unnecessary physical activity and follow medical guidance to reduce the risk of complications.

The Director General of the Lakes State Ministry of Health, Dr. Teran Madit Teran, said the initiative was designed to bring essential medical services closer to communities.

He urged residents to take advantage of the campaign, noting that eligible services would be provided free of charge.

Teran said the eye surgery camp was part of a series of health campaigns planned for the state. It follows a recent cleft lip surgery campaign, while a fistula surgery campaign is expected in November.

Mary Adut of CUAMM (Doctors with Africa), the implementing partner, said the eye surgery camp was the first to be conducted under a new initiative known as the Support Rumbek State Hospital project.

She explained that previous medical camps had been implemented under other projects that have since ended. The new project is funded by CBM, with the current campaign marking its first eye care initiative.

Adut also encouraged people experiencing difficulties with close-up vision to visit the hospital for free reading glasses. She said the glasses were available to support everyday activities such as reading the Bible in church and performing work that requires near vision.

Health authorities and their partners are urging residents experiencing eye problems to visit Rumbek State Hospital during the campaign for assessment and treatment, with eligible patients receiving the relevant services free of charge.

For Aluel, the prospect of treatment for her second eye offers hope of greater independence after years of struggling with poor vision.