Features : : World Sight Day: Seeing Is Believing
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  • seeing_is_believing_01Banqiao, Yunnan Province, China: Dr Pan Yong Ming Ophtalmologist at the small local Banqiao Hospital in Yunnan province examines Yu Xue Zhen (84) from Jinwujie. Yu Xue Zhen has been travelling for a day to get to the hospital. She will have her second cataract surgery today. Dr Pan Yong Ming was trained by Seeing is Believing in conjunction with Orbis International.
  • seeing_is_believing_02Dharavi Slum, Mumbai, India: Dhaniben Goil, 45, Dharavi slum, Mumbai India. I was born in Dharavi and specialise in clay work. I was tested by local SIB health workers and they found that I needed glasses. I got an appointment to see my local testing clinic to get the exact prescription. It is very dificult and expensive for us to access eye care in Dharavi.
  • seeing_is_believing_03Nongoma, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa: Siphokule Mabuyakhulu (43) Nongoma, South Africa: I am a security officer here at the hospital. 4 years ago I started noticing something growing on my eye. They can't remove it at the moment because it's too small they say. I found out that I also needed glasses. They have prescribed some glasses that will help reduce UV light and hopefully stop the growth and watering in my eye.
  • seeing_is_believing_04Banqiao, Yunnan Province, China: Wu Lai Lan (53) from Majie 150km from Banqiao. I started developing Glaucoma 5 years ago. Over the years it got worse and woirse until I was completely blind. My husband had to look after me. I couldn't work, I was completely dependent on him. I heard that a lot of older people had had cataract surgery here in Banqiao so that's why I came here. I can finally look after myself again. I can do light work on the farm and am a lot more independent.
  • seeing_is_believing_05Banqiao, Yunnan Province, China: Dr Pan Yong Ming Ophtalmologist at Banqiao Hospital performs cataract surgery on Yu Xue Zhen (84) from Jinwujie, Yunnan province. The old lens is removed from the eye and a new lens is inserted.
  • seeing_is_believing_06Banqiao, Yunnan Province, China: Li Jiang Song (9) and his mother Chen Guang Mei (33) We are from Ergang which is 200km from here. My son had Ptosis which is a congenital condition. My son couldn't open his eyes properly. He was teased by the children at school. We heard about the clinic from the father of a neighbour who had cataract surgery here. He recommended we come here. My son was quite scared before the operation - but he is really happy that he finally had it done and will be able to play with other children without being bullied.
  • seeing_is_believing_07Durban, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa: Londiwe Shange (5) and mother Confidence Shange (37) Durban, South Africa: Londiwe was born as an Albino. We realised at the age of 4 that she had a problem with her eyes. She had to get things really close to be able to see them. Sometimes she would trip over things. ICEE came into her school and screened all the students. They now have supplied her with new glasses. We are so happy. She is able to see and go to school. She wants to be a teacher. Here Londiwe does a test with her new glasses in front of their house in one of Durban's townships.
  • seeing_is_believing_08Banqiao, Yunnan Province, China: As part of the Seeing is Believing Eye Care Campaign local villagers are screened for Cataracts and refractive errors in a village in rural China near Banqiao, Yunnan Province.
  • seeing_is_believing_09Durban, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa: Iman Hatheem (3) left, and Asima Hatheem (3) right are twins. When they were 3-4 months old we started realising that something was not right. They were never looking at us, only reacted to sound. We realised that they were both born with cataracts in both eyes. They couldn't see at all. They had to have cataract surgery at the age of 6 months. The artificial lenses weren't inserted until the age of 2 in a second operation. They now go to regular check ups. ICEE are providing them with their glasses. Their vision changes frequently so they need new glasses all the time. We are so grateful for the service ICEE have been providing us with.
  • seeing_is_believing_10St John's Eye Hospital, Johannesburg, South Africa: Professor Grant McLaren examines an eye patient from Mozamique. She is HIV positive and has developed infections in her eyes due to the weakened immune system. Prof. McLaren says that South Africa is swamped with an AIDS epidemic that takes up a lot of time in St John's Eye Hospital.
  • seeing_is_believing_11Dharavi Slum, Mumbai, India: Maniben Chitroda 46, Dharavi slum, Mumbai India. I also make and sell pottery. I started having serious headaches when I was working on my pots. When I was screened by the local health workers, they prescribed glasses. I can now work longer hours making my pots without loosing concentration.
  • seeing_is_believing_12Johannesburg, South Africa: Johannes Phama (79): I used to work in the mines here in South Africa. I first noticed that I had a problem in 2007. I am now completely blind. I am going to have my operation tomorrow. I just want to get it over and done with. Hopefully I will be able to see again and not depend so much on my family.
  • seeing_is_believing_13Dharavi Slum, Mumbai, India: Dhanji Jayram, 43, Dharavi slum, Mumbai India. I make a living producing pots. I like to read religious literature. I started getting headaches. I was screened outside my home by local health workers and they prescribed reading glasses. Since then, long hours reading don't bother me.
  • seeing_is_believing_14Dharavi Slum, Mumbai, India: Kashinath Metri, 30, Dharavi slum, Mumbai India. I work as a tailor in Mumbai's largest slum Dharavi. Obviously my eyesight is really important. I developed problems one year ago with watery eyes and couldn't see properly. When I had my eyes checked by local health workers they found that I needed to get glasses. Now I am able to work much faster and my suits and saris are of better quality stitching.
  • seeing_is_believing_15Banqiao, Yunnan Province, China: Lu Xiao De (66) from Kong Ga (50 km from Banqiao) I had an infection in my eye which caused a scar on the cornea and I also developed a cataract. It was very, very painful. I couldn't do anything. So we walked to the clinic which is 50 kilometres from our home. I have had cataract surgery 2 days ago. I was completely blind on that eye. I can see again and also the pain is finally gone. I will be able to go back home and work again on our farm to support myself and my husband.
  • seeing_is_believing_16Johannesburg, South Africa: Jonas Louw (63): I used to be a builder. I am originally from the Western Cape. I had work accident in my right eye. A piece of brick went into my eye. I had an operation on that eye that basically damaged it even further. I am totally blind on that one now. I started with a cataract on the other one about three years ago. I just got worse and worse until I was completely blind on both eyes. I have to walk withh a stick and constantly bump into things. I just had the operation today and hopefully I will be able to see again on this eye and not have tyo be fed by my family.
  • seeing_is_believing_17Johannesburg, South Africa: Rebecca Nhlapo (73): Two years ago I started having problems with both my eyes. On my right eye I am now totally blind. On the left I can see some shapes but everything is blurred. I couldn't pour anything into a cup, I couldn't eat myself properly. My children actually thought that I was mentally ill because I couldn't prepare any food. They didn't understand that I simply couldn't see. I am so happy that I am having this operation tomorrow. Hopefully everything will go well.
  • seeing_is_believing_18Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa: Nonvvuyo Mayile (40): I have got 5 children and I am living here on my own with my kids. I have been living in this squatter camp for 18 years now. Things just aren't improving here. We need proper houses, clean water, jobs and above all proper toilets. I was working in a kitchen when I got ill and was laid off. Now I am just living off my childrens benefit.
  • seeing_is_believing_19Diepsloot, Johannesburg, South Africa: Christine Bila (33) with her 2 month old baby boy Paul who has a twin sister Belinda: I came from Mozambique to find a job. Then I got pregnant and had the twins, The father has disappeared So at the moment I am living with my sister here in a shack in Diepsloot. These are terrible conditions to raise children. It is very unhealthy with the open sewage running in front of our house. If we had a proper place to live it would make a lot of difference.
  • seeing_is_believing_20Durban, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa: Jason Mahlase (18) Durban South Africa: I was born with a severe fault in my eyes. The doctors told me my eyes were incomplete. I can hardly see only shapes. I am going to a school for visually impaired students. ICEE have provided me with several devices such as this lupe and a small telescope to help me cope in daily life. I am able to study and do my homework like that.
  • seeing_is_believing_21Durban, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa: Alice Ntelele (85) Durban, South Africa : The problems with my eyes started about a year ago. Everything was blurry when I was reading the bible or my newspaper. That's when I decided to come to the Mahatma Gandhi Hospital. I had cataract surgery last year. I am really happy with the result. I would like to have the other one done as soon as possible.
  • seeing_is_believing_22Durban, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa: Mary Vilakazi (76) Durban, South Africa : Around the end of last year I started having problems while reading and working around the house. The health workers came to my township and told me about the clinic. So that is why I came here to have my eyes tested and get some prescription glasses. Hopefully they will be able to improve my sight with the new glasses.
  • seeing_is_believing_23Maphumulo, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa: Mongi Mthembu (22) I was born with severe shortsightedness. I used to go to school without being able to see anything. So my teacher got me help via Seeing is Believing/ICEE. I was allowed to be tested when they screened everybody at the local primary school. So finally after 22 years I have got my first glasses. I was virtually blind. I had to sit right at the front and even then I couldn't see anything. The best thing about it is that I can finally read my books. I am into Maths and Zulu books. I would like to become a traffic policeman.
  • seeing_is_believing_24Banqiao, Yunnan Province, China: Wang Xi Liang (73) I started loosing my sight about 5 years ago. It got really bad until one day I fell down the stairs in front of my house. I went to Kunming the provincial Capital where I was told that my eyes couldn't be fixed. My grand son knew Dr Pan Yong the doctor at Banqiao clinic. He took me to see him. I was a bit worried before the first cataract surgery. But when I was able to see after the first operation I wanted to have the other eye done as soon as possible. Now I am able to see again. It is incredible. I can eat by myself, I can go to the toilet without help and most importantly I can go out and meet up with my friends.
  • seeing_is_believing_25Xin Zhai, Banqiao, Yunnan Province, China: Chen Xiu Hua (82) from Xin Zhai (30km from Banqiao) I am member of the Yi people. I don't speak Chinese. I went blind 2 or 3 years ago. I then also had an accident in my right eye. I was completely blind. I had cataract surgery last October on my left eye. Finally I am able to see again. I am independent. I don't put a strain on my family. My husband doesn't have to feed me, I can go out by myself meet my friends or go and find some food for the pigs. It's just a lot easier when you are able to see when you are living in the country side.
  • seeing_is_believing_26Dharavi Slum, Mumbai, India: Dhanji Jayram, 43, Dharavi slum, Mumbai India. I make a living producing pots. I like to read religious literature. I started getting headaches. I was screened outside my home and they prescribed reading glasses. Since then, long hours reading don't bother me.
  • seeing_is_believing_27Dharavi Slum, Mumbai, India: Kavita Sarve, 45, labourer, Dharavi slum, Mumbai India. I work cleaning lentils and pulses. I had serious problems seeing the lentils and couldn't perform my job properly. I was also quite slow at it. I was screened and and they prescribed glasses. I am really happy because when I used to clean 2kg per day I am now able to do 3 to 4 kg per day. I am really happy and wish that people should wear their glasses and not be ashamed.
  • seeing_is_believing_28Dharavi Slum, Mumbai, India: Dhaniben Goil, 45, Dharavi slum, Mumbai India. I was born in Dharavi and specialise in clay work. I was also tested by local health workers and they found that I needed glasses. I got an appointment to see my local testing clinic to get the exact prescription.
  • seeing_is_believing_29Gloria Manda (72): I used to work as a domestic helper. Last year my eye started going sore. Then gradually when i was watching TV I couldn't see anymore. They diagnosed me with a cataract so I just had my operation today so I really would like to say thank you to the team that have looked after me and hopefully will make me be able to see again.
  • seeing_is_believing_30Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa: Julia Fortune (21) L her mother Sibongele Moloe (38) R, and Gloria Sechel (29) in the back live at the Motswaledi Camp in Soweto. Apart from occasionally washing clothes for other people they do not have any work. "Times are very hard" they say. we don't have money to buy meat we just eat pap all the time.
  • seeing_is_believing_31Londiwe Shange (5) and mother Confidence Shange (37) Durban, South Africa: Londiwe was born as an Albino. We realised at the age of 4 that she had a problem with her eyes. She had to get things really close to be able to see them. Sometimes she would trip over things. ICEE came into her school and screened all the students. They now have supplied her with new glasses. We are so happy. She is able to see and go to school. She wants to be a teacher.
  • seeing_is_believing_32Mongi Mthembu (22) Maphumulo, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa: I was born with severe shortsightedness. I used to go to school without being able to see anything. So my teacher got me help via Seeing is Believing/ICEE. I was allowed to be tested when they screened everybody at the local primary school. So finally after 22 years I have got my first glasses. I was virtually blind. I had to sit right at the front and even then I couldn't see anything. The best thing about it is that I can finally read my books. I am into Maths and Zulu books. I would like to become a traffic policeman.
  • seeing_is_believing_33A school in the Dharavi slum of Mumbai. SIB health workers have been testing children at the school who would otherwise have difficulty accessing health care.
  • seeing_is_believing_34Dharavi Slum, Mumbai, India: Harsha Tak, 40 Dharavi Slum, Mumbai, India. I have 2 children aged 8 and 5. Originally from Gujurat I make a living in Dharavi selling pottery. I was screened by door to door health workers and my headaches have gone. I really likes my glasses and can't understand people who wouldn't wear spectacles out of vanity.
  • seeing_is_believing_35Nove Money is 52, Dharavi slum, Mumbai India. I have been working as a printer for 25 years. I have had had the same glasses for 15 years when I developed problems two years ago. I have now had my eyes checked and glasses changed. Printing in old style techniques doesn't seem a problem anymore.
  • seeing_is_believing_36Dharavi slum, Mumbai India, Two girls in their house who have just had their eyes tested by Seeing is Believing health workers