Close to 4,000 citizens and visitors have had their sight restored through cataract surgery at the Port Mourant Ophthalmology Hospital since its reopening in February 2021. The hospital has performed 5,825 major eye surgeries to date, including 3,998 cataract removals.
Region Six Regional Health Officer, Dr Vineshri Khirodhar, confirmed the figures and noted the broad reach of the hospital’s services.
“These are not just Berbice patients. We had patients flown in from Regions One, Two, Seven, Eight, and even Barbados and Suriname, we would have operated on all these patients,” Dr Khirodhar said.
Cataracts—clouding of the eye’s natural lens—are a leading cause of blindness. For many, the hospital’s services were their only hope of regaining vision due to the high cost of private treatment.
“I’m feeling very nice because if I was still at home, I would still be struggling… so I feel great about it,” said 59-year-old Cafilus Cornius from Mabaruma, Region One.
Gloria Chapan, another patient, is also happy to have regained her sight. “I couldn’t read, now I can read again. It’s a very good initiative the government is taking because most of us cannot afford these types of expenses. Many were just left unattended,” she told Ignite News.
The eyes are our windows to the world, and not being able to see—or see clearly—brings great discomfort, as it impedes our ability to carry out basic daily activities. Faustina Bennett, who had this uneasy experience, said following her treatment, the transformation was almost instant.
“Well, now you know, I can see clearly everything I had my daughter to do, you know, serve me in the home and so. And then I get sick and then she bring me out and the doctor send me out now. That’s why I’m here. But I feel much better now because, you know, when I reach here, you know, because I didn’t lose my sense. I just come here and then they look after my eyes and the next day I can see clearly and everything is okay.”
And for 65-year-old Rita Joseph, the procedure restored her independence.
“I used to see with only one eye. Nobody had to help me, but the other eye was already blind—until after I did the surgery.”
The Port Mourant Ophthalmology Hospital has become a regional hub for eye care in Guyana, offering free surgeries and eye screenings. With nearly 4,000 people regaining sight in just over four years, the facility stands as a beacon of hope for those who once faced a lifetime of blindness.
Dr Khirodhar credited the hospital’s achievements to both its medical staff and the government’s commitment to continuously improve access to healthcare.
Dr Vineshri Khirodhar
