Freetown — Medical director at the Kissy UMC eye hospital in Freetown has disclosed to Concord Times that a total number of 300 people successfully underwent cataract operations at their centre in 2009.

Dr. John Buchan said though the number was on the increase, there was still in the mindset of the people fear in undergoing the operation, noting that Tuesdays and Thursdays have been designated for cataract operations.

According to Dr. Buchan, the hospital was hoping to do massive cataract operations, as this will help save a good number of people from blindness. He said one of their biggest challenges is how best they can cajole people to always go for the operation to save their sight.

Dr. Buchan noted that half of the people in the world become blind as a result of cataract, and that most eye defections in Sierra Leone are also as a result of the ailment and glaucoma. He said time for the operation only lasts for 20 minutes for a better eye sight for anyone.

"We presently have an outreach team that goes out and sensitize the people for them to be bold to go for the operation," he said. The Christian Blind Mission (CBA) from Germany and the Central Global Vision are the current donors to the hospital.

Zainab Renner, a senior ophthalmic nurse said she was grateful to the hospital for sending her to Ghana to train as an eye nurse as this has helped improve her nursing knowledge.