Just a few days ago, The World Sight Day was held internationally, this celebration takes place on the second Thursday of October. It was appointed by the General Assembly of the United Nations to focus the attention on blindness and visual problems.
Mrs. Hilda Fuentes was recently operated of cataract and tells us about the post-operative process and the importance of eye care. At 75 years old, she decided to have a surgery and recover her vision, even with the risks for a person her age.
Why did you decide to undergo a surgical process if you were not completely blind?
Doctors always told me about the real possibility of recovering the large-scale sight, that motivated me to go to the salon. The sight is a sense that humans value very much and I wanted to get mine.
The recovery process has been long and has required patience, What would you tell us about that?
It is a very delicate operation, cuban doctors have a lot of practice but the patient must be very disciplined and consistent. The total rest for the first few months, the head position and avoid sudden movements are very important for the recovery.
How do you value the care you received?
First, to thank all the medical team who treated me. I'll tell you that they are extraordinary people, whose daily restore the sight to many patients, it is easy to say but it is not.
That expertise requires a lot of our doctors and they do it free and disinterested , not only to Cubans, but also to people around the world. Sometimes we question our health system, but you need to talk to foreign patients to see how much a surgery costs.
Did you know that today is The World Sight Day *?
I really did not know, but I hope you can tell everyone because the sight deserve it. I am now completely recovered and I am immensely happy. I am a more independent person.
Any advice?
To care the eyes, keep them clean and do not touch them. To visit a specialist if they have an abnormality. In time everything is possible, more in Cuba.
Worldwide, the highest prevalence of visual problems is observed in people 50 years of age or older of both sexes. While most eye conditions that affect this age group can be treated easily, as in the case of cataracts in some parts of the world still you have to get men and women to receive eye care services equally. We fight for it.