Deterioration of the eye sight of elderly workers in the plantation sector is very common. It is mainly due to their involvement in agricultural lands under the hot sun during the day.
A recent survey, conducted by HelpAge Sri Lanka (HASL) found that many workers in the plantation sector are suffering from various eye ailments.
According to this survey majority of them needed eye surgeries to have a clear vision but their financial background prevented them to have the surgeries from private hospitals.
This pathetic situation prompted HelpAge Sri Lanka to assist many of them. A group of eye specialists on the direction of HelpAge recently conducted a special eye screening camp at Dikoya in Nuwara Eliya, Trincomalee and Anuradhapura districts.
About 500 persons attended the camps and among them 279 were identified as cataract patients.
The surgeries were carried out at HelpAge Eye Hospital, Wellawatta with the assistance of both HelpAge and social service institution, Berendina Development Ltd.
In addition to eye screenings some elders, suffering from various other eye ailments were provided with reading glasses and bifocal spectacles.
HelpAge Executive Director Samantha Liyanawaduge said a large number of cataract patients in the country are reported from low income families and HelpAge extends free Cataract surgeries for such people.
He said HelpAge hopes to conduct similar free eye camps continuously in other districts in future.
The Executive Director highlighted that there is a marked improvement in donations made by corporate, private organizations and individuals towards the HelpAge free cataract surgery programme.
He further said HelpAge expects more donations from prospective donors to fund the free cataract surgery programme to restore the vision and to improve the living standards of the underprivileged Senior Citizens in our country.
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