A recent NBC News feature spotlighted the work of Lloyd Williams, MD, PhD Director of Duke Global Ophthalmology, and an international team delivering sight-restoring care in the Abyei region along the South Sudan border. The region has endured years of conflict and limited healthcare infrastructure, leaving many residents without access to eye care for decades and contributing to some of the highest rates of blindness in the world.
During a 2 week mission earlier this year, Dr. Williams and his team screened thousands of patients and performed more than 1,000 cataract surgeries, restoring vision for individuals who otherwise had little opportunity to receive treatment. More than 8,000 people registered for care, many of whom had been living with preventable blindness for years.
In the NBC News story, Dr. Williams described the life-changing impact of cataract surgery, particularly for children and adults whose vision loss has limited their ability to attend school, work, and participate in daily activities. The segment follows several patients as they regain sight, highlighting the transformative effect of a procedure that can be performed at relatively low cost but is often unavailable in underserved regions.
The mission reflects the ongoing work of Duke Global Ophthalmology, which partners with local healthcare providers and organizations around the world to expand access to eye care, provide surgical training, and prevent avoidable blindness.