For the first time in six years, around 50 people on Ambae have undergone sight-restoring eye surgeries through a national health outreach program led by the Vila Central Hospital.

The three-day operation, held on the 11th till 13th of June at Lolowai Hospital, marks the second national eye surgery program for 2025, and the first time since 2020 that the service has returned to the island. Most patients were over the age of 55 and had lived with cataracts or other long-term eye conditions for years.

“About 80% of patients we saw had cataracts, and the remaining 20% had pterygium,” said Danstan Tate, Eye Program Coordinator at Vila Central Hospital. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens inside the eye that can cause partial or full blindness if untreated.

The team also welcomed patients from nearby islands including Santo, Maewo, and Pentecost, who traveled to Ambae to access treatment.

Before surgery, all patients underwent medical screening to check for underlying conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes, ensuring safe operations. Some were deferred until their health was stable enough for the treatment.

“Pterygium cases need stitching, which takes longer. Screening helps the team plan how many patients can be treated each day,” Tate explained.

Penama Provincial Hospital will continue monitoring patients after the surgery for any complications, supported by trained eye nurses stationed across provincial hospitals.

This year’s first eye surgery mission was held in Santo, and similar programs were conducted last year in Tanna and Malekula. The current team of 18 health officers, including one doctor, has completed another milestone in restoring sight and improving lives.

Tate confirmed the total cost of the program was around 1 million vatu, with funding from the Fred Hollows Foundation New Zealand.

Photo supplied: Vila Central Hospital