Scores of Essequibians have benefited from free eye care outreach clinics held last Friday at the Anna Regina Health Centre, and the Suddie and Charity Hospitals.
According to Coordinator of the Ministry of Health programme, Nankishore Persaud, the programme is aimed primarily at screening persons for cataract and other eye-related diseases, free of cost. The programme, the second to be held in Region Two for this year, was held on Saturday at the Suddie Hospital and Sunday at the Charity Hospital.
Mr Persaud said persons were screened for pteryguim, cataract and glaucoma.
At the Anna Regina Health Centre, 52 persons from the coastal and Amerindian communities had their eyes examined by specialist doctors.
At Suddie and Charity Hospitals hundreds of persons, young and old, turned up to have their eyes tested.
Persaud said at the three clinics, 254 persons were seen and had their eyes tested. He said 98 persons were diagnosed with cataract, 26 were found suffering from pteryguim, and 20 were diagnosed with suspected Glaucoma.
Those persons diagnosed with disease in their eyes will be referred to the Port Mourant Ophthalmology Clinic for surgery, which will be performed free of cost.
According to the coordinator, the initiative is a collective effort between the National Ophthalmology Clinic at Port Mourant and the Low Vision Eye Care Centre.
Persaud said the Ministry of Health has budgeted for the eye care outreaches for 2011 so that the service can reach people at the grassroot level.
Five similar outreaches have already been conducted at Buxton, Enmore, Ithaca, Leguan and Wakenaam. He said hundreds of persons benefited from free eye examination and surgeries.