Aussie eye surgeons on mission to reduce blindness in Myanmar

Nearly half of all blindness around the world can be attributed to one factor – cataracts. A group of doctors from around the world, including Australia, have teamed up to tackle the condition in Myanmar.

(SBS)

Blindness caused by cataracts is a progressive disease that usually strikes later in life.

Myanmar has one of the highest blindness prevalence rates in the world at 8.1 percent in rural areas.

That's why some of the world's leading eye surgeons, including a team from Australia, have teamed up with a shared vision.

Eye surgeon Dr Sanduk Ruit says access to treatment is the biggest problem in a country like Myanmar where poverty is widespread.

Dr Ruit is running one eye clinic that has helped improve the sight of more than 1200 people.

"Our main focus is empowering the local people, for example setting up this Yungoon eye centre to a level where this can now very soon start training its own doctors and sub specialists and assistants."

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