Low Cost Cataract Surgery Campaign for the Needy by Lions Club Vallarta-Nayarit Team Angels/Santiago Orozco Carroll - Lions Club Riviera Nayarit
November 26, 2016

A cataract is a clouding of the eye's natural lens, which lies behind the iris and the pupil. Cataracts are the most common cause of vision loss in people over age 40 and is the principal cause of blindness in the world.

Dr. Monica Orozco Carroll

People, objects, and colors look hazy, cloudy, and "washed out." This lack of detail makes it difficult to tell time, read, watch television, see food on a plate, and walk safely indoors and outdoors, since depth perception may also be affected. Some people with cataracts describe the effect as being similar to looking through a window that is hazy and streaked with dirt.

In cataract surgery, the lens inside your eye that has become cloudy is removed and replaced with an artificial lens (called an intraocular lens, or IOL) to restore clear vision. The procedure typically is performed on an outpatient basis and does not require an overnight stay in a hospital or other care facility.

Currently, there are hundreds of people with cataracts in the region of Puerto Vallarta-Riviera Nayarit who cannot afford the regular cost of a cataract operation

The aim of the campaign is performing these cataract surgeries at low cost so that the poor people can be treated and improve their quality of life.

The goal is to to carry out 100 cataract surgeries per year.

Medical Resources:

• Dr. Mónica Orozco Carroll (surgeon) CMQ Hospital
• The Lions Clubs of Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta resources
• Global grant of Lions International (in process)
• Medical support (Cardiologists and Anesthesiologists )

Beneficiaries:

• Self-financed poor people
• Low-income people financed by a club or sponsor

Cost and Operation Procedure:

The regular cost of the cataract operation is 6,500 pesos per surgery and 4,500 pesos for treatment of Pterygium (white outer surface of the eye where abnormal tissue becomes inflamed due to lack of lubrication [no tears], by sun exposure, wind or other irritants. Sufferer has the feeling of a foreign body in the eye, and this has a congestive appearance or red eye), however this can be increased in the event that the patient requires some extra study or special treatment.

The procedure is for the beneficiary to arrange for an appointment at the clinic of Dr. Mónica Orozco at Hospital CMQ Center, telephone 223-1919, which will give you an assessment to see if you are a candidate and the cost of the consultation is 300 pesos which will be taken into account for the total cost of the operation.

Translated and edited by Team Angels

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