A charity project has provided free cataract surgeries for 53 patients from pastoral areas of Nagqu Prefecture in Tibet Autonomous Region.

Lowang is one of the 53 beneficiaries of the “brightness and dream” project. Uncovering goggle on his left eye, the 79-year-old cataract patient can see the letters on visual chart again. He will recover his eyesight in a week, and the once artisan is looking forward to resuming carving Buddha statues for temples.

The “brightness and dream” project is carried out by Red Cross of Tibet..Ophthalmologic doctors of the medical team sent to Nagqu Prefecture had conducted screening for more than 200 local eye disease patients and gave free surgeries to confirmed cataract patients between 48 to 85 years old.

The 69-year-old nomad Yangting had just put on sunglasses helpful for vision recovery after surgery. “I came up to here as soon as I heard that doctors would come, and I’m very delighted that my eyes have been cured,” she said with smile, fingering beads in her hand. Cataract used to bring her a lot of inconveniences two years ago since she lived alone.

“Due to high altitude and strong ultraviolet rays, and the lack of vegetables and fruits supply in most area of Tibet, local farmers and herdsmen suffers from eye diseases to varying degrees. Our going countryside to provide treatments brings convenience to those elderly,” said Ngawang, doctor of the medical service team, who had carried out 18 surgeries successfully in three days.

According to Ngawang, modern extra-capsular cataract extraction and intraocular lens implantation are used in these surgeries, which doesn’t need surgical incision suture. The lenses implanted and therapeutic are both imported and the surgery cost is about 2,700 yuan in hospital.

According to Liu Jiawei, staff of Tibetan Red Cross, the charity organization keeps giving free cataract surgeries in Nagqu, Shigatse and Ngari Prefectures every year since 1995, and has helped more than 8,000 local peoples regain eyesight.

A nomad from Bachen County is receiving examination after surgery in Nagqu Prefecture of Tibet. [Photo/ Xinhua]