Take Action to Save Sight

When the sun shines in Mongolia, the intense UV rays often damage people's eyes. Sufferers needing treatment must make arduous journeys of at least eight hours via the country's poor provincial road network to see city-based doctors.

This April, Orbis Sight Ambassador - Karena Lam visited Mongolia with Orbis to learn about their sight­ saving work there. The many Mongolian doctors told us of the country's urgent need to recruit more doctors to work in the remote areas. Sadly, a complex combination of problems such as economic constraints, a lack of talent pool, and provincial transportation issues means this remains a distant prospect.

We met a little Mongolian girl called Marla who had suffered from congenital cataracts since birth and had been operated on by Orbis eye surgeons when just 42 days old. Too young to receive an artificial lens implant, she endured eye pain and fatigue as a result of the thick corrective glasses she was given to correct her nearly 1000 diopters of farsightedness.

After six years of close monitoring by Orbis, Marla's eyes were fully developed and ready for Orbis-trained eye surgeons to implant with artificial lenses. Having struggled with visual impairment herself, Marla's mum prayed that her daughter's newfound sight would open doors to better educational opportunities she had been denied.

In vast countries like Mongolia, one of the most effective ways to safeguard youngsters' sight is to teach doctors to train school teachers in conducting eye checks.

Given the country's shortage of optometrists and the quality of spectacles varies wildly, very few local children wear corrective glasses.

When I accompanied Dr. Munkh to a screening session at a provincial school, she told me that before receiving Orbis training, she had been unable to conduct eye checks accurately. Thanks to our trainers' dedicated efforts, diagnostic skills here are now of international standard.

Still one of only two ophthalmologists in her province, Dr. Munkh is determined to share the gift of brighter, fully-sighted futures with as many kids as she can. Having ensured she can pass her newfound screening knowledge to local teachers, Orbis is now making further progress by addressing the issue of optometrist quality.

Like to support our sight-saving work in the world's poorest corners? By joining our monthly donation program, you will make a significant contribution to easing the suffering of vulnerable patients who urgently need comprehensive eye care systems and resources.