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Mclaren works for end to waiting lists

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Professor Grant McLaren battles to deliver more sight-saving operations.

“At the moment there is a backlog of almost two years for cataract operations, even though we also operate on Saturdays,” says Professor McLaren. He works on a project run by Seeing is Believing partners, CBM  in South Africa.

“We do about 60-70 cataract operations per week. Unfortunately there is a lot of domestic violence in this area. It takes up a lot of our time that could be spent on cataract operations.”

“When you consider that the average life expectancy of a cataract patient is about five years it is vital that patients get operated as soon as possible.

How we helped

Professor McLaren said Seeing is Believing funding will help deliver more operations and generally improve the service to the public.

“There is enormous scope for improvement for efficiency. I would like to achieve a service where patients are examined, processsed and then operated on the next day. I don't think we should have a waiting list at all.”

He explained that every cataract patient needs up to three people to care for them. “If you can get the patients to see again these people can contribute to the economy.”