„We are surrounded by miracles everywhere ...

... if only we have the eyes to see them“, Ernst R. Hauschka wrote.

It may have been meant figuratively, but the 7-year-old Frank can now actually enjoy the magical sunsets in his home East New Britain.

Sunset in East New Britain

Frank was once born with white-clouded pupils and visual difficulties and was very dependent by now. During a ten-day surgery camp in Kokopo, ophthalmologist Dr Waimbe Wahamu has now operated his bilateral congenital cataracts and restored his vision by inserting intraocular lenses. Frank's pre-operative visual acuity was not much more than mere brightness perception, but after the successful surgery on July 23 2021, his vision improved to 6/9 on both sides.

Just three days after the operation, Frank is up and about and in good spirits, unaided, on his way back home with his parents.

Induction of anaesthesia

Dr Waimbe Wahamu during the surgery

Frank shortly after the surgery …

… a while later together with a nurse and his mother …

… and finally on his way back home with his parents.

Article on the visit of the team of doctors in Kokopo
(Post-Courier, July 28 2021)