Ophthalmology at CSC

An estimated 100,000 Cambodians are fully or partially blind.  The majority, around 75,000 cases, are caused by cataracts, pterygiums, glaucoma and land-mine injuries and most of these are fully or partially curable by relatively simple surgical techniques.

The history of CSC is closely associated with ophthalmology and CSC uses this concept of a simple, cost-sustainable, low risk surgical procedure pioneered in developing countries for eye surgery for additional areas of rehabilitation surgery. Surgical ophthalmology remains one of the mainstays of the CSC program with around 1,500 operations performed at CSC each year, either to restore or to prevent further deterioration of eyesight.

In a typical cataract operation a portable operating microscope is used to allow the ophthalmic surgeon to remove the diseased, opaque 'crystalloid' and part of the lens and replace it with a plastic, light focusing implant. The surgery requires only one suture and the patient may return home after as little as one night rest after the operation. Local anaesthetic only is necessary, and the procedure can cost in materials as little as $15 (lens $6.50, Suture $4, Medications, drugs and dressings $4.50).

The CSC Kien Khleang ophthalmology unit is separate from the main rehabilitation surgery operating suite with its own examination rooms and ward. The Kien Khleang centre also makes its own eye prostheses.

Oculoplasty is an area where CSC is making particular efforts to expand. The CSC project was specifically formed to extend the work of another ophthalmic NGO into extra-ocular and facial surgery in response to the high number of land-mine and recent conflict related injuries. Having both facilities for intra-ocular and facial rehabilitation surgery, CSC is unique in Cambodia where these activities are so closely linked. CSC is increasingly becoming a reference unit for other NGO's and organisations working in the area of intra-ocular ophthalmology.