The Report from Quang Tri

Dr. Jim Katz and his wife, Pam, and IAO executive director Rich Paul have been carrying out a series of meetings and eye screenings in Quang Tri Province the last two days. This is the area just south of the "DMZ" -- the old border between North and South Vietnam. It is a very poor area even though the coastline is lovely and the mountains are impressive. Sadly, among the patients we have screened are people who have blinding eye traumas from the war. But what was really surprising is how many -- even kids -- who have been injured by 40-year old ordinance that explodes now, injuring or even killing innocent people who were not even alive during the conflict.

So far, we have screened about 60 people at three different locations: an orphanage in Phu Loc, a "blind association" in the town of Quang Tri, and another "blind association" in Dong Ha. Tam, the local rep for the Global Community Services Foundation (our host here) has done a good job rounding up a cross-section of people -- from kids to elderly.

Of course, we have seen many cataracts, but also other rather interesting cases. One (actually two) was just today -- Friday -- with a young man who's missing part of his eyelids. Not five minutes later, another with the same exact condition came through. Turns out they are brothers and, undoubtedly, the condition is hereditary.

During our time here, we have had a few meetings, as well. On our arrival in Dong Ha, we met with the director of the local eye clinic and one of their ophthalmologists. They gave a very good PowerPoint report for us which outlined the nature of eye problems in the province. Excellent information that was very useful. We also saw their exam room and the small O.R. For cataractr patients, they are performing the extracap procedure, and the patients are kept there for five days. We told them about the phaco course in Hanoi, which is if great interest.

Today (Friday), we met with the head of the local medical school. In addition to training about 10 doctors, they also have quite a few nursing students, pharmacists and midwives. A pretty busy place, and the director was extremely cordial to us. (He skipped a trip to Laos in order to receive our visit.)

It was a little strange at first doing eye exams in the shadow of a bust of Ho Chi Minh, but all in all I would say that the residents of this area and our hosts have all been very cordial, and grateful for our interest.

In short, we have A LOT to sift through. It is obvious there are great needs here, and hopefully we can devise a plan to help in some way.

More later...