Due to the fact that the eastern Congo has no Optometry services, PROLASA is working on the establishment of an Ophthamology-Optometry Clinic on the site of the PROLASA Medical Centre in Goma. This service will office eye examinations, prescriptions for glasses, optometric services and preventive eye health services.
The prevalence of blindness (visual acuity less than 6/120) in the eastern Congo is: 0.3% and the prevalence of poor vision (visual acuity between 6/24 and 6/120) was 2.1% according to a recent study which was sponsored by the World Health Organization. The major causes of blindness were: cataracts and glaucoma. Both of these diseases could be treated and prevented.
Since there are no optometric services available in the area, age-related near farsightedness is frequently a disabling condition. This could be easily be corrected by appropriate optometric care.
If you would like to help in the establishment of the PROLASA Eye Clinic, please contact us. Our needs are:
- Optometric and Ophthalmology Equipment and Supplies
- Donations for the construction and equipping of the clinic
- Help with training or personnel and ongoing support
