A Major Vision Project

Strabismus

This week we participated in a major vision project.  LDS Charities sent an eye surgeon from the United States to perform surgeries on children with strabismus.  In addition three other doctors from Cape Verde were trained in performing the operation.  Strabismus is an condition in which the eyes do not properly align with each other when looking.

This is one of the children who received the surgery.

Elvin Brito

Dr. Michael Bullard and his wife, Andrea, who is also a nurse, arrived in Cape Verde on Saturday afternoon.

From Monday, November 26th, through Thursday, the 29th, they put in long days sharing their talents and expertise.  Friday at noon they were back at the airport for the trip home.

Three eye surgeons from Cape Verde; Dr. Josepha, Dr. Jaqueline, and Dr. Evandra also received training.

Dr. Bullard examining a child.  A loving father provides comfort.  Monday was spent examining 66 potential candidates.  Of those 66, 24 children were selected to receive the surgery.

Prior to the operation, the child is put under anesthesia.  The surgery is performed by spreading the eyelids wide and exposing the muscles.  The only incisions are made on the eye muscles to, in effect, shorten or ''lengthen" the muscle.

Alcione Gomes was selected to receive the surgery.

Each child was setup with an IV in preparation for the anesthetics.

Sister Erickson was showing this girl how to play a computer game.  Hopefully to relieve some of the anxiety.

The eyes may be crossed inward, or look to one side outward, or be out of alignment up or down.

Lais Pina's eye is looking up

Some of the kids had to wait up to 8 hours before entering the operating room.  Also the children had to fast the whole time.

Sister Erickson kept their attention on more fun things to do.

This was Dr. Bullard's second trip to Cape Verde.  In June he arrived and performed surgeries on 24 patients while the other doctors observed.  This time he operated on the first eye and then observed and trained while the other doctors did the second eye.

This picture is from June.  Elder and Sister Gerritsen, the humanitarian missionaries before us, spearheaded this project and were instrumental in getting LDS Charities to sponsor it.

LDS Charities provided the travel expenses for Dr. Bullard as well as provided some additional eye equipment including two YAG lasers.  Dr. Bullard donated his time and expertise.  The hospital provided the operating room and staff including the anesthetists.  Other hospitals provided travel expenses for the three doctors receiving training as well as travel expenses for a few of the patients from other islands.

Heydan da Cruz has an unforgettable smile.

These parents had arrived in the morning with their children.  This picture was taken after 6 pm when the sun had already set.  Those are hard wooden benches.

After the operation and once the anesthetic had worn off, these parents could go in the recovery room and be with their children before they were released to go home.

On Thursday four different news agencies arrived for a news conference.

Dr. Karina, an ophthalmologist from Mindelo, meets with the press.  She was the true champion of this project and did all of the organization with the doctors, LDS Charities, the hospital, the patients, the equipment, and the anesthetists.

Dayany Correira was one of the patients that received the surgery in June.

Two months later. 

Elder and Sister Erickson had the privilege of meeting with Dayany in September.  Her eyesight is strengthening in the weaker eye, she is now participating in gymnastics, and she has a beautiful face.

Changing the world one life at a time.