LAOS

Lao Childhood Blindness Study 2013

Sight For All conducted a study of the causes of childhood visual impairment and blindness in July 2013. Sight For All’s Australian team worked with their Laotian colleagues from National Ophthalmic Centre (NOC) to collect data from schoolchildren at Lao’s School for the Blind in Vientiane. A high rate of corneal blindness was discovered, with measles the most common overall cause of blindness. The information supports Sight For All’s efforts to establish the country’s first paediatric eye unit.

The team also took genetic samples from many of the children in an attempt to understand the genetic basis of their eye diseases and hopefully one day eliminate unavoidable childhood blindness. It was the first ophthalmic genetic study ever undertaken in Lao.

Low vision spectacles and aids were also prescribed to many of the visually impaired children to allow them to read better and thereby enhance their education at the school.

A big thank you to the hard-working team that included Drs Khamphoua and Sonchai (Laotian ophthalmologists), Drs Hughie Tsang and James Muecke (Australian ophthalmologists) and Mr Andy Griffiths (Australian optometrist).

Cataract Surgery Outcomes 2011

Medical student Melissa Shields has completed an intensive study in Northern Lao collecting vital data on cataract surgery outcomes from a number of regional eye centres supported by Sight For All.

Refractive Error Study in School Children 2009

Sight For All conducted a study of schoolchildren in Laos in Oct-Nov 2009. The primary aim of the study was to investigate the profile of refractive errors and binocular vision anomalies in children attending primary schools in Vientiane Province and to determine the cause of any visual impairment. Nearly 4000 children were examined in the month. The Lions Club “Recycle for Sight” program donated glasses for needy students. Referrals for surgery were given to a small number of children. The Australian team were challenged with learning the local language in order to communicate with students from numerous ethnic groups. It was difficult to reach some schools due to the geography of the country and poorly developed, unsealed roads. Many of the schools had no electricity and the team found themselves working amongst roaming chickens, cows, geese and pigs! The study revealed a lack of major refractive error and binocular vision anomalies in the children tested.

Many thanks to the whole team who worked hard under tough conditions – Dr Deepa Taranath (Australian ophthalmologist), Dr Sipeth (Lao ophthalmologist), and Ms Theresa Jnguyenpham, Ms Aimee Kong, Mr Kevin Rooney and Ms Lenny Rosli (Austraian optometrists), Ms Robyn Wallace (Australian orthoptist), and Chantilly (Lao nurse).