The cataracts we have come across in Cambodia have been very different to those in the UK.
There is very little access to cataract surgery for many poor people and so they come when they are almost completely blind.
These Cambodian cataracts have progressed to a stage rarely seen in the UK, where patients present earlier.
These cataracts are like small hard rocks and the usual techniques we would use in the UK, sadly do not work. Instead we have to use a different technique that takes the cataract out whole.
These are incredibly surgically challenging cases, but the quality of life improvement for the patients is incredible. This lady was only able to see light and dark and we have bought her vision back to normal.
As a surgeon, it is humbling to be able to make such a difference to someone’s life.