Story by Abigirl Tembo, Health Editor
THE Norton Eye Unit is emerging as Zimbabwe’s leading centre for cataract surgery, restoring sight to thousands of patients from across the country and offering renewed hope to people living with preventable blindness.
Patients travel from districts including Binga, Gokwe, Muzarabani, Chipinge, Mount Darwin, Gutu and Mvurwi to access treatment at the Council for the Blind-run facility based at Norton Hospital.
For many, cataracts had robbed them of their independence before surgery restored their vision.
“When I lost my sight, life was very difficult. Sometimes I would find myself in a field of thorns or constantly collide with something,” one patient said.
This year alone, the unit has performed more than 1 500 cataract surgeries, helping patients regain their eyesight and quality of life.
A patient from Gokwe said the success of his first operation prompted him to return for treatment on his second eye.
“I came from Gokwe after hearing many good things about this clinic. I had my first cataract operation in March, and my eyesight improved. Today I had surgery on my other eye, and I am looking forward to seeing clearly again.”
Another patient, aged 106, travelled from Gutu for a second procedure.
“The first operation was successful, and I regained my sight after spending years in darkness.”
Patients also credited outreach programmes for bringing eye care services closer to their communities.
“I first heard about this hospital through an outreach programme they had in Mvurwi. I have had my cataract removal operation and can’t wait to remove this bandage so that I can see.”
For some, the results are immediate and deeply emotional.
“I had my surgery this morning, and now I can see after years of darkness. I can see that you are wearing spectacles… and you are putting on red lipstick,” one patient said.
Administrator of the Council for the Blind, Norton Eye Unit, Ms Grace Jegedeshe, said the facility now serves patients from across Zimbabwe and beyond.
“Our catchment area is the whole of Zimbabwe, and sometimes even outside Zimbabwe. This year alone, we have already attended to more than 18,000 patients and conducted 1,500 cataract surgeries. Every day we see between 150 and 180 new patients. The most common conditions are cataracts, glaucoma and refractive errors, many of which can be treated or corrected.”
The unit attended to 23 054 outpatients last year and performed 2 748 eye surgeries, including 2 452 cataract operations, alongside large-scale outreach programmes nationwide.
According to the World Health Organisation, cataracts remain the leading cause of blindness in low- and middle-income countries, including Zimbabwe.
An estimated 125 000 Zimbabweans are blind, while between 60 000 and 100,000 people are living with cataracts requiring surgery. Experts estimate that up to 80 percent of blindness is preventable or treatable through timely intervention.
As demand for eye care continues to grow, the Norton Eye Unit is restoring not only sight, but also independence, dignity and hope for thousands of Zimbabweans.
