Lions donation a sight for sore eyes

VISION A REALITY: Tireless fundraising from Gisborne Host Lions Club members has resulted in the purchase of a special machine to treat people who suffer the eye condition keratoconus in Gisborne, rather than having to travel to Rotorua or Palmerston North. The machine will be based at Gisborne Hospital. From left are clinical ophthalmologist Dr Jason Rodier, clinical nurse specialist Rachel Cook and Gisborne Host Lions Club members Darrell Ahuriri, Barry Foster, Lynn Mackey, Paul Smith, Maree Young, James McGuire, Janet Page, Debbie Beuth, and Cilla Montaperto-Britt (club president). Picture supplied

Gisborne Hospital has received $29,500 from the Gisborne Host Lions Club to help people with an eye condition called keratoconus regain vision.

“Teenagers are most likely to suffer from keratoconus and experience blurred vision, light sensitivity, eye-rubbing and near-sightedness,” said Te Whatu Ora clinical ophthalmologist Dr Jason Rodier.

Keratoconus is a progressive eye condition that affects the cornea — the clear tissue that covers the front of the eye.

“Those who require treatment need to travel to Rotorua or Palmerston North, which is a major barrier to care.”

Not for long.

Gisborne Host Lions fundraised tirelessly throughout the Covid-19 pandemic to buy a corneal collagen cross-linking 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,” Dr Rodier said.

“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 said those with allergies, hay fever, and atopic conditions like eczema and asthma were 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,” Mrs Cook said.

“Thanks to the Gisborne Host Lions, 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.”