Gisborne Hospital has received $29,500 from the Lions Club Gisborne Host to help people with an eye condition called keratoconus regain their vision.
“Teenagers are most likely to suffer from keratoconus and experience blurred vision, light sensitivity, eye rubbing and near-sightedness said Dr Jason Rodier, Te Whatu Ora Clinical Ophthalmologist.
Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that affects the cornea - the clear tissue that covers the front of the eye.
“Currently, those who require treatment need to travel to Rotorua or Palmerston North, which is a major barrier to care,” added Dr Rodier.
Not for long though.
The Lions Club Gisborne Host fundraised tirelessly throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to purchase a Corneal Collagen Cross Linker laser machine, which is on its way to the hospital.
“If left untreated, keratoconus can lead to blindness. But if identified early, further vision loss can be prevented,” said Dr Rodier.
“When teenagers start losing vision, they can become shy and withdraw from daily activities like sports and academics, and their mental health may decline.”
“That’s why catching it early is the goal.”
Clinical Nurse Specialist Rachel Cook says “those with allergies, hay fever, and atopic conditions like eczema and asthma are at an increased risk of developing keratoconus. These conditions can also lead to eye rubbing, which is another risk factor for developing keratoconus.”
“It’s important to have regular check-ups with an optometrist, which is how most eye problems are diagnosed.”
“Until now, we’ve had to ask whānau to drop everything and travel away for a minor surgery. This can be quite an inconvenience and can come at a great cost to the family,” said Mrs Cook.
“Thanks to the Lions Club Gisborne Host, the new machine will be here shortly and we can begin to provide life-changing, vision-saving treatment right here in Tairāwhiti. We will be able to treat around 50 patients per year, which will help ease the burden on these families.”
Pictured from left to right: Dr Jason Rodier, Clinical Nurse Specialist Rachel Cook, Lions Club Gisborne Host Members: Darrell Ahuriri, Barry Foster, Lynn Mackey, Paul Smith, Maree Young, James McGuire, Janet Page, Debbie Beuth, Cilla Montaperto-Britt (Club President).