Goskirk Pettinger helping save sight in Africa

One of our optometrists, Dr Joel Somerville, is off to Madagascar this month to help screen for cataract surgery in rural areas of the country.

Madagascar is an island nation off the South-East coast of Africa. It is ranked 177 out of 193 countries in the world for development, with 75% of the population living on less than $2 a day. Chronic malnutrition and lack of safe drinking water leads to many health problems. Blindness is significant problem in Madagascar but the good news is many causes of blindness can be solved. One of the world's most successful surgical procedures- cataract surgery- can restore people's sight in a matter of minutes. Being able to see again means being able to look after your children and grandchildren, being able to get a job and allowing you to all sorts of near vision tasks like read, cook and sew.

Joel has worked with Mercy Ships many times in the past in various African countries, and this time will be in Madagascar for 2 weeks helping select suitable patients for sight-saving surgery. Read more about the eye programme at Mercy Ships here.