VietNamNet Bridge – Fred Hollows Foundation Viet Nam will provide free eye surgery for 1,000 poor patients in the central provinces.

The campaign, which began on October 11, facilitates comprehensive, quality eye care, with a focus on cataracts.

The operations will take place in the provinces of Quang Binh, Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, Binh Dinh and Phu Yen.

In Binh Dinh Province from October 11 to 14, 2,000 patients from the districts of Tuy Phuoc, Phu Cat, and An Nhon as well as Quy Nhon City will be treated for glaucoma, the second cause of blindness following cataracts.

The activities celebrate World Sight Day, October 11.

Together with other eye care NGOs throughout the world, FHF Vietnam said the day was begun to raise awareness upon blindness among the community, local partners and governmental agencies.

The Australian-based FHF began working in partnership with the Viet Nam National Institute of Ophthalmology in 1992 and has trained and equipped 332 Vietnamese doctors to perform cataracts surgery.

(Source: VNA)