Cataract remains the leading cause of avoidable blindness in Fiji and the wider Pacific region, with refractive errors and corneal opacity also among the major causes.

To help address the problem, China’s Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center of Sun Yat-sen University is providing advanced cataract surgery to patients in Fiji under its longstanding partnership with the Ministry of Health and Medical Services.

A total of 125 patients have been selected for surgery following several months of screening.

The Chinese ophthalmology team is providing phacoemulsification cataract surgery, an advanced procedure that remains limited in Fiji due to the high cost of equipment and surgical consumables.

Fiji currently mainly performs manual small-incision cataract surgery, which health officials say can achieve comparable outcomes after one month.

The Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center has partnered with Fiji’s health ministry for around 11 years, making seven visits to the country and providing eye-care services to patients.

The latest mission is estimated to involve an investment of approximately US$500,000, further strengthening cooperation between Fiji and China in eye health.

By: Litia Rabua